MANURES. THEIR SOURCES AND PREPARATION. 53 



as possible. Keep the stable bedded with muck, and over 

 this a good bed of leaves. 



The Manure of Birds is richer than that of any other 

 animals ; as the solid and liquid excrements are mixed to- 

 gether, it is particularly rich in nitrogen and the phos- 

 phates. Three or four hundred weight of the manure of 

 pigeons, fowls, turkeys, etc., is of equal value with from 

 fourteen to eighteen loads of animal manure. 



Peruvian Guan© is a manure of this class. It is the 

 manure of sea-birds, which has accumulated in tropical 

 latitudes where it seldom or never rains. These birds feed 

 upon fish entirely ; hence, the manure is remarkably rich 

 in nitrogen. Guano is this substance with the water evap- 

 orated, and contains from 7 to 18 per cent of ammonia. 

 When it can be bought pure and the freight is not over 25 

 per cent on its cost, it is for many crops one of the cheap- 

 est manures to be obtained, as it is so easily applied — the 

 labor of applying other manures often approaching the 

 price of guano. It is well to apply about two hundred 

 weight per acre with one-half the usual quantity of other 

 manure. Guano should never, in a fresh state, come in 

 contact with seeds or the roots of plants, as it is sure to 

 destroy their vitality. 



The great value of guano is in forming liquid manure ; 

 one pound of guano to five gallons of water applied once 

 a week will add wonderfully to the growth of any plants 

 watered with this mixture. For very delicate plants 

 twice the above quantity of water should be given. If 

 guano is not to be had, the manure of fowls is a good sub- 

 stitute. This liquid is especially valuable in the flower- 

 garden. It must be poured upon the roots, and not upon 

 the leaves or collars of the plants. On lawns, a pound 

 sprinkled upon each square rod will restore their verdure. 

 A great advantage of supplying guano, is that no seeds 

 of weeds are scattered in the soil. 



