GUANO AS A MANURE. 
269 
which the leaves frequently assume before 
their fall, is by no means devoid of beauty ; 
and when contrasted, as it always is, with a 
field of green foliage, the eye is naturally 
directed towards it. 
Pictorially considered, the ash occupies but 
a second-rate position : it has none of that 
boldness of outline which belongs to the oak ; 
it displays none of those masses of light and 
shade which we see in the elm ; and, though 
a graceful grower, its foliage is generally 
meagre, and sometimes injured by the winds. 
An absurd opinion is entertained by many 
that this tree will grow anywhere, the fact 
being, that it is of all others the most restricted 
to latitude and climate. On unsheltered moun- 
tains it will not grow ; and though frequently 
represented as otherwise, it is impatient of the 
sea air — thriving best in inland countries, 
either beside rivers, or on slopes of fertile 
land. As an example, (and it will show how 
so many come to be misled by books,) I may 
mention, that in the "Journal of a Naturalist" 
this tree is represented to be valuable from its 
thriving more universally in all situations than 
some other trees. Boucher says, it will grow 
on the bleakest and most exposed places ; and 
Lightfoot recommends it as a tree which will 
flourish by the sea-side. Cobbett, following 
these authorities, yet with a show of originality, 
and with his usual temerity, asserts that it 
" fears not the winds ;" by which he no doubt 
means that it will rise in elevated and boister- 
ous situations. 
No tree is more easily raised in the nursery. 
An abundance of seeds are generally to be 
obtained in the autumn ; but if sown then, few 
of the plants will appear in the ensuing spring. 
It is better, therefore, to mix the seed with 
mould, and let them remain in an open pit for 
twelve months, when they should be sown in 
beds of the usual size, about an inch apart 
from each other, and covered to the depth of 
half an inch. By this plan the use of the soil 
for twelve months is saved, also all the trouble 
and expense of weeding and attending to the 
beds during that time. When two years old, 
the plants should be set out in lines ; and their 
last transplantation should take place before 
they are five years old ; for if allowed to 
remain longer, they are apt to become stunted 
and bark-bound shortly after they have been 
removed. 
The wood of the ash is applied to a greater 
number of purposes than that of any other tree. 
Tables, chairs, benches, and a great propor- 
tion of kitchen furniture ; ploughs, harrows, 
axletrces, waggons, carts, handles to spades, 
forks, and rakes, are made of it ; and, in short, 
there are few implements of the farm-yard 
which is not, more or less, of this wood. 
The ash should be planted in masses, to the 
exclusion of every other tree ; for it has a 
hurtful influence over every other ligneous 
object ; and its bad effects are especially felt 
when in hedgerows. 
GUANO AS A MANURE.* 
Perhaps no manure has proved, to those 
unacquainted with its strength and the proper 
method of applying it, so destructive to the 
florist as guano ; and this mischief has arisen 
from the indifferent nature of the recom- 
mendations to use it. Among florists it was 
fatal to a degree beyond imagination, and the 
losses sustained rendered the article unpopular 
among a large class. The exceeding dearness 
of guano prevents any excess in farming 
operations, and, therefore, for agricultural 
purposes, its value was soon admitted ; but in 
an expensive commodity like this now invalu- 
able manure, it is of the highest importance 
that it be economically applied ; and Mr. 
Clarke's little pamphlet, if consulted in time, 
may save thousands of pounds to the farming 
interests. It is as important that the dress- 
ing be sufficient, as that it be not excessive ; 
and experience proves that there are different 
modes of profitably applying it, according to 
the nature of the soil and the crop which is to 
be produced. Mr. Clarke has supplied us with 
his experience, and the present is the sixth 
edition of a pamphlet which ought to be — 
must be — in the hands of everybody who pro- 
fesses to use the article under consideration. 
In a brief review it is impossible to give much 
information, but there are some passages in 
the work which are calculated to give a good 
idea of the nature of the instruction it is 
intended to convey ; and it is only fair that 
the author should tell us, in his own way, 
the nature and object of his useful lessons ; 
but the intention is obvious. As a large dealer 
in the article, it was his interest that every- 
body should be able to apply it successfully, 
and he took the best means of securing in- 
quiries by instituting them himself ; the author 
has made some researches to qualify him for 
the task, and, as he observes : — 
" Although the purpose of the present 
publication be to afford practical directions 
for using Guano, illustrated by practical 
results, it may not be uninteresting to give 
here some introductory account of the dis- 
covery of this wonderful manure, its chemical 
properties, the various parts of the world in 
which it has been found, and the probability 
of a regular supply adequate to the consider- 
able and increasing demand." — P. 5. 
•" Practical Instructions for using Guano as a Manure: 
illustrated by Practical Results." Sixth edition. Lon- 
don : James Clark, 24 and 25, Billiter-Strect. Edin- 
burgh : Adam and Charles Black. Dublin : John 
dimming. And to be had of all Booksellers. 1842. 
