109 
PERUVIAN AND AFRICAN GUANO, 
whilst the African is more fleeting. The prices of I 
the two are, for Peruvian $45, and for African $35 
per ton, for quantities amounting to five tons; and this 
may be considered, all things being taken int<aif the ac¬ 
count, a fair representation of their value in agricul¬ 
ture. 
The African being soluble to the extent of 40 per 
cent., is better adapted for watering plants, and where 
very rapid growth is wanted. The Peruvian, on the 
other hand, acts for a longer time, and is better calcu¬ 
lated for crops which continue to grow vigorously 
during many weeks. The two will probably produce 
very similar effects for one crop; but the Peruvian is 
much more active on the second crop. 
Crops to which it is Applied .—It is hardly neces¬ 
sary to state, that the application may be made to 
every crop, for experiments are already multiplied 
with nearly every common plant or tree : to enume¬ 
rate a few is sufficient. Wheat, corn, grass, the cere- 
alia, sugar-cane, tobacco, apple, pear, and other fruit 
trees, flowers, cabbages, turnips, and other cruciferous 
plants; the experiments are fewest on leguminous; 
plants. But the effect of guano will not be equal on 
all; for those plants requiring most stable manure, 
such as tobacco, turnips, and Corn, are more benefit¬ 
ed than grass, oats, or such as require less—the chief 
effect of the manure being due to the quantity of the 
ammonia it contains. The reason guano is service¬ 
able to all plants, arises from its containing every 
saline and organic matter they require as food. 
Kinds of Soil to which it is Applied .—It is used, be¬ 
neficially on all soils ; for as it contains every element 
necessary to plants, it is independent of the quality 
of the soil —one great point being attended to, that the 
Sand be in good tilth ; for, otherwise, the tender roots 
of the vegetable find an obstruction to free growth, 
and are crippled. Poor, well-tilled soils exhibit most 
increase by guano, for in them some essential to the 
growth of plants is more likely to be absent. 
Amount to be Applied. —On wheat 250 lbs. per 
acre will be an average for a fair soil; 300 lbs. per 
acre for one that is poor, and 200 for a good soil. 
Corn, potatoes, turnips, cabbages, and garden vegeta¬ 
bles, will require 300 lbs. in fair lands; but the 
amount may be diminished by 50 lbs., if two applica¬ 
tions are made instead of one. For grass, rye, and 
oats, 200 lbs. will be enough. 
Time and Mode of Application.—Seeds may be 
prepared by soaking in a solution of two lbs. of guano 
to the gallon of water, and this will answer for a 
first manuring, if they are left sufficiently long to ex¬ 
hibit signs of germination. Wheat and other small 
rains should he steeped in this solution about sixty 
ours, corn about one hundred hours. Thus steeped, 
the seeds of smut will also be destroyed. Half the 
quantity of guano allowed by these directions per 
acre, to be applied when the plant has fairly start¬ 
ed, and is in second leaf. By this timely addition, 
the effects of many insects are avoided, and the seed¬ 
ling at once takes on a robust habit. The remaining 
half should be applied to the small grain crops when 
they are throwing out new stems, or tillering; to 
corn, as the tassel appears, or at the second hoeing, 
and so with other hoed crops. This application 
should be made, therefore, at the latest period of 
working, and as nearly before flowering as practica¬ 
ble. The guano should be sowed with a mixture of 
fine soil, gypsum or charcoal, to give it bulk, and di¬ 
vide the particles. No lumps should be thrown 
amongst the plants, for they burn them ; and where 
an extensive application is to be made, it is better tc 
screen the manure and pound the lumps. In sowing, 
reach the soil, if possible, for it is unserviceable to 
sprinkle it on the plants, and frequently destroys 
them. Select a season when the land is wet or moist, 
or when rain may be expected ; for in dry weather 
the guano does not answer well, or even does injury, 
by burning the plant. But if the crop suits, always 
prefer manuring the plant or hill; do this whilst hoe¬ 
ing ; less guano is thus used, and more certain effects 
result. One tablespoonful to the hill of corn, tobacco, 
potatoes, &c., is an abundance for each application. 
If a solution be preferred, mix one pound in ten gal¬ 
lons of water, and water sparingly with this on the 
soil, and not on the plants, at the times before men¬ 
tioned, taking care to stir up the insoluble portion 
when applied. For this purpose, the African variety 
will be most suitable. Or, where rapid growth is 
wanted, irrespective of seed, the clear solution may 
be applied; the insoluble matter (phosphates, &c.) 
being reserved for wheat and corn. Guano may be 
composted with common soil, dry muck, road scrap¬ 
ings, or anything but lime and unleached ashes ; for 
these liberate the free ammonia, and thus diminish 
the effects of the manure. 
Value , Compared with other Manures —So far as 
the experiments in England and Scotland may be ad¬ 
duced, one cwt. of guano is equal to about five tons 
of farm-yard manure on an average ; but it is much 
higher for turnips than for grass, &c. It would be 
advisable that in the very different climate of the 
United States, comparative experiments be made on 
this point. Let twenty single cart loads of stable 
manure be used per acre on wheat, corn, &c., and 
contrasted with four cwt. of guano. It would also be 
of service to the agricultural world, that some experi¬ 
ments were made on the value of the organic and in¬ 
organic portions of guano. A plot of ground eight 
square yards may be divided into two parts, half ma¬ 
nured with the ordinary guano, and half with the 
ashes remaining after burning. In this way the pro¬ 
portionate effect of the organic and saline parts would 
be estimated, and the conclusion be serviceable, inso¬ 
much as the saline matters can be mixed into a com¬ 
post for a trifling Sum, and thus the expense of guane 
avoided. D. P. Gardner. 
March 12, 1845. 
Notice. —This publication is made by the American 
Agricultural Association, not that parties may be in¬ 
duced to purchase guano, but that attention may be 
called to the varieties for sale, and other particulars 
for the diffusion of correct information. It is their in¬ 
tention to examine all available manures, and make 
them known publicly, as well as the results of care¬ 
ful experiments in agriculture, horticulture, and the 
management of stock, and to issue not only informa¬ 
tion from time to time, but a series of Transactions, 
embodying the particulars of their experiments, ana¬ 
lyses, &c. All those wishing to advance the cause 
of improvement are respectfully solicited to become 
members, and forward suggestions for the advance¬ 
ment of agriculture. Letters or communications to be 
addressed, post-paid, to the Secretary of the Executive 
Committee, Dr. D. P. Gardner, 412 Fourth street, New 
York. By order of the Executive Committee, 
; R. L. Pell, Chairman 
