In April 1850 the writer was on the farm of Dr. Fairfax of King George
county, who was one of the first, if not quite the first person in that
part of the State who ever made use of this substance as a manure; and
his wheat was then so large that a good sized dog was hidden from view
in running through the field; while upon a neighboring piece of land of
exactly the same quality, sowed at the same time, the ground scarcely
looked green; in fact, it was remarked at the time by way of contrast to
the one field hiding a dog, that the other would not hide a
chicken--indeed, an egg might have been seen as far as though no wheat
was growing upon the ground. Both fields were just alike, both plowed
and sowed alike, without manure, except 200 lbs of Peruvian guano upon
one, and that sure to bring fifteen or twenty bushels to the acre, while
the other would not exceed three bushels.
One of his first trials was with the African, of which he applied 400
lbs. to the acre upon 27 acres, which would not produce three bushels of
wheat to the acre, in its natural condition, but with this application,
notwithstanding it was 32 per cent. water, and, consequently, had lost
much of it ammonia, he made an average of 12-3/4 bushels to the acre on
the whole field. Upon another, he increased the usual average yield from
8 to 18 bushels, while, in his opinion, the permanent improvement of the
land was of greater value than the increased yield of the first crop;
for now clover will grow where none would grow before; another advantage
arising from guano is, the wheat ripens so much earlier (15th of June)
it escapes the rust, so apt to blight that which is late coming to
maturity. He now sows wheat in the fore part of September, three pecks
to the acre, after having previously plowed in 200 lbs. of Peruvian
guano to the acre, and after the first harrowing sows the clover seed.
The land is a yellow clay loam, uneven surface, very much worn; in fact,
without the guano, and with all the manure that could be made upon the
farm--for no straw no manure--not worth cultivating. Dr. F. had been
using guano three years, at the date of our visit, and thought his
prospect good for a thousand bushels of wheat upon the same ground,
which, without guano would not produce one hundred and fifty.