316 



On Guano. 



inquire of theory how far it can assist us in forming an idea of the 

 absolute money value of this new manure, and we shall be justi- 

 fied in allowing ourselves to be in some measure guided by the 

 answer which theory may give. 



I. — Let me first introduce the partial results ah'eady arrived at 

 by practical men. 



1. Mr. Skirving writes me thus: — With regard to the re- 

 lative cost of guano and farm-yard manure, allowing guano to 

 cost 2bs. per cwt., which I believe is the price at present, it would 

 cost no more to supply 8 cwt. to the acre than 20 tons of manure 

 would ; for in this neighbourhood in spring-time good horse and 

 cow dung is never under 10^. or 12s. per ton, besides the heavy 

 carriage and extra expense of application, which on some land 

 would make a great difference.'' 



2. In connexion with his experiment on turnips, above de- 

 tailed, Mr. Pusey remarks that, although it is impossible to form 

 an opinion from a single experiment, he thinks a farmer who could 

 afford to dress with 20 bushels of bones per acre, at ?>s. a bushel, 

 might find the guano answer at 206'. per cwt. 



These two opinions, formed from imperfect or incomplete ex- 

 periments, are valuable so far as they go ; but they can neither 

 as yet be considered a safe guide to the farmer, as to what he 

 may venture to pay for this manure, — nor to the merchant, as to 

 what he may venture to ask for his commodity. 



II. But for what price can it be imported? Mr. Darwin 

 informs us that at Arica, in Peru, the nitrate of soda is sold at 

 the ship's side at 14s. the 100 lbs., or 15s. 6c?. a cwt. ; and in this 

 country it used to be sold at 18s. or 19s., though during the last 

 year it has risen to 26s. and 28s. a cwt. We may suppose, there- 

 fore, that 4s. or 5s. a cv/t. would pay all expenses of freight, and 

 leave a handsome profit to the importer. Now, Mr. Winterfeldt 

 states that the red and dark-grey varieties of the guano, those im- 

 ported into this country, are worth 2s. 3d. a cwt. in Peru in 

 this country, therefore, from 7s. to 10.?. a cwt. ought to be a re- 

 munerating price to the merchant, if Mr. Winterfeldt be correct. 



It is true that an article is worth to the seller exactly what it 

 will bring in the market, but it is of great importance, not only to 

 the agriculture of the country, but to the speculators themselves, 

 that the price of this commodity should be kept at a reasonable 

 rate. Not only will many more be willing to try it on their farms, 

 if the price be low, but the general demand for it will increase in 



* " The red and dark-grey are worth 2*. 3(i. a cwt. The white is sold in 

 the port of Mollendo at 6af. a cwt. ; and at times, as for instance during 

 the war, it has brought as high a price as 125."— Winterfeldt. 



