ADULTERATION OP GUANO, ETC. 
125 
the manure applied to the land, and in this may act J 
advantageously. 
(b) Take 1 lb. of saltpetre, dissolve it in 6 to 8 
quarts of water, and soak the seed from 8 to 24 
hours as convenient; then roll in ashes or plaster, 
and plant. Thus prepared, corn comes up sooner, 
grows more vigorously, and is not so liable to be 
attacked by grubs or birds. 
(c) In this we agree fully with the writer. If 
the plow be used at all, it should not run more than 
two inches deep, except when the corn is quite 
young; but we think it generally safest and best 
to use the cultivator. It is certainly the most ex- 
peditious operation of the two. 
(d) Taplin's horse power is best for our corres- 
pondent, and this may either be stationary or mov- 
able. For cut and description, see volume seventh, 
{>. 32 of the Agriculturist ; also p. 40 of our cata- 
ogue. 
(e) As a general rule, we think that the south- 
ern climate, except in the mountainous regions, 
is too hot and dry for a profitable growth of north- 
ern grasses; nevertheless, they are a subject of 
fair experiment, and we are glad to find our corres- 
pondent so persevering in testing them. We hope 
he will try a few acres with lime and plaster to- 
gether, also alone. We are of opinion, however, 
it would be most beneficial to apply them in the 
months of November. December, January, or Feb- 
ruary ; and the sooner, beginning with November, 
the better. 
In southern grasses, there is room for great im- 
provement ; but whether this can be best effected 
with the foreign or native plants, we will leave to 
the discussion of southern farmers themselves. It 
is an interesting and important topic, and we invite 
communications from them for our columns. 
ADULTERATION OF GUANO. 
The merits of guano, as a valuable fertilizer, is 
conclusively shown in the numerous and gross 
adulterations and imitations which have been perpe- 
trated with it. As an illustration of many of these 
frauds, we copy a small part of the evidence given 
in one of the English courts, in a recent trial at 
Manchester, to recover money paid for a spurious 
lot. 
" Two tons of the guano were bought at £3, 
($15,) per ton, and two tons at 44s. (#11,) per 
ton. Dr. Robert A. Smith stated, that he had ex- 
amined the material, and that it contained 70 per 
cent, of silica, a good deal of alumina, and sand. 
It was an ordinary sample of sand, and had not a 
trace of guano in it ; nor was it possessed of any 
fertilizing qualities. On cross-examination, he 
stated that there was a slight trace of ammonia in 
s the material, but that was the case with all soils. 
There was not more than one per cent, of excre- 
mentitious matter in it, while, in good guano, there 
was 95 per cent. 
" James Batho testified, that he was a manufac- 
turing chemist, and lived opposite the defendant's 
premises, where they carried on the business of 
manufacturers of manure. They carted thither 
refuse from starch works, spent wood from dye 
works, logwood, and sumach. The defendant, 
Holahan, was then called, who described himself 
as 'a guano grinder,' and said that he made guano. 
A good deal of real guano was mixed with the stuff 
sold to the plaintiff, and there was also in it the 
refuse of starch works, which was considered a 
very fertilizing article. The refuse from starch, 
was a kind of mineral powder ; but he did not 
know what. There was also some spent wood 
in the mixture, which, he was told, was very fer- 
tilizing, too. He had his receipt for making guano 
from Mr. Evans, of Liverpool, who has made 
some hundred tons for a merchant there. He put 
in these articles 'according to fancy.' In answer 
to the judge, he said, that he used ochre and spent 
wood to color his 'guano.' 
" The learned judge, in delivering judgment, 
said, that there was no proof that the stuff deliver- 
ed differed from the sample, and he could not, 
therefore, assume that it did. Still, if the goods 
were sold under the name of guano, and what was 
delivered was not guano, that would alter the case. 
Guano meant, he conceived, prima facie, a foreign 
substance — the excrements of birds. There was, 
however, it was true, a kind of compound manure, 
called • British guano ;' and supposing the stuff 
delivered to the plaintiff had turned out to be, not 
foreign guano, but ' British guano,' possessing a 
fertilizing quality almost equal to that imported, he 
thought the defendants would not have been liable; 
but, taking the evidence of Dr. Smith to be correct, 
that it was merely worthless stuff, and had no fer- 
tilizing qualities whatever, it became necessary to 
inquire whether this was sold under the name of 
guano, and he was of opinion that it was, and 
that the plaintiff was, therefore, entitled to recover 
£10, ($50,) which he gave for the guano. The 
defendants, whether partners or not, had held 
themselves out as such in this transaction, and 
must, therefore, take the consequences. His 
honor, on the application of Mr. Myers, allowed 
the costs." 
The transactions and receipts for making guano, 
as above given, may be useful to some of our own 
countrymen, who are engaged in the very laudable 
business of manufacturing arid vending genuine 
guano, at a less price than it can be imported. We 
insert this article for the benefit of our unreflect- 
ing readers, if we have any such ; the more 
considerate ones will not need it. 
FROST AND SNOW AT NEW ORLEANS. 
Last night was one of the most severe that has 
been experienced here since March, 1833, when all 
the orange trees on the coast of the Mississippi 
were killed. The same calamity has undoubtedly 
befallen them now. Day before yesterday was 
very mild and pleasant. No fires were needed. In 
the night, the wind came out north, and yesterday 
forenoon was clear and cold. I was on board a 
steamer below Baton Rouge, in the afternoon. 
About sundown, it commenced a severe storm of 
of rain, sleet, hail, and snow. It continued at in- 
tervals till midnight. In the morning, the decks 
were coated with ice, and the ground whitened with 
snow ; the trees glittering in the sunshine, and 
roses and oranges all encased in ice. Oh ! what a 
brilliant scene ! But it is a scene of distress. Early 
corn, beans, peas, tomatoes, peppers, &c, &c, that 
were growing so finely, are all killed. 
Since arriving in the city, I find now, (5 o'clock 
