To Indian corn, applied one teaspoonful to the hill, well mixed with
earth, at time of planting. When twelve or fifteen inches high, hoed in
three tea spoons full around the corn, and covered two inches deep and
watered. Soil--a poor, sandy, sterile one. Product--one seed produced
three main stalks with eight perfect ears and five suckers, weighing
8-1/4 lbs. The best plant without guano, weighed 1-1/4 lbs. and only had
one ear.--"I find the best mode of applying guano is to hollow out the
hill, put in one teaspoonful and a half of guano, and mix it well with
the soil. Spread even, then put on this about one or one and a half inch
depth of light soil, on which sow the seed and cover up. When the corn
is about twelve inches high, or the time of first hoeing, begin with the
hoe about four inches from the stems, and make a trench the width of the
hoe about two or three inches deep. Spread in this trench about three or
four teaspoonfuls guano, stir it in, and cover the trench as quickly as
possible. If this last operation can be performed just before or during
rain, the action will be quicker and more effectual."
Four or five teaspoonfuls of dry powder producing such an effect, is
what staggers the belief of those who see with their own eyes.
So great is the luxuriance of growth from such an insignificant
application, it is necessary to increase the space nearly double between
the hills. In a country where fodder is so valuable as it is in
Massachusetts, the great increase of stalks is of equal importance with
the increase of grain. Indian corn requires both phosphate of lime and
magnesia which it finds in guano, in combination with ammonia, in a
state just ready to be absorbed by the growing plant, wherever brought
in contact, with its roots.
Mr. T. found the guanoed corn planted May 22d, ripened sooner than that
planted May 1st. with manure. This alone on account of the difficulty
from frost, is sufficient to give it great claim upon northern farmers.
_Effect on Grass._--"The application of this manure to grass land
already laid down is for many reasons often attended with uncertain
results. The best mode is, to spread broadcast about 250 lbs. per acre
of the Peruvian guano as soon as the snow is off the ground. It would be
very advantageous if, after it was spread on, some light loam could be
put over it, in the manner of a top dressing. I state the Peruvian guano
is the best for this operation, as it contains what Dr. Ure calls
_potential ammonia_, or ammonia in a more permanent form; whereas the
ammonia from the Ichaboe guano evaporates more easily, and this valuable
ingredient is therefore lost in the atmosphere when it is spread on the
surface.
"Most excellent crops have been obtained, where the grass is sown and
laid down in the autumn, on light, sandy soils, by sowing the guano
evenly broadcast, then harrowing twice, sowing the grass seed, and
rolling."
The best mode of applying it, however, is to sow broadcast and plow it
in--at the south, on sandy soils, no matter how deep--at the north on
soils more clayey, plow it in about four inches deep--the real object
being to so mix it with the soil as to prevent the escape of ammonia,
which is exceedingly volatile. Remember, _Guano_ should never be used as
a top dressing, except in combination with plaster, or some other
substance which will prevent the escape of the most valuable portion of
its composition.
In several case, where sods have been laid down for lawns or
embankments round houses, the most surprising growth has been obtained
by strewing the surface with guano previous to laying on the sod.
E. Baylies, of Taunton, sowed 460 lbs. African guano per acre, with
grass seed, which yielded, this year, one ton per acre more than that
without; and the appearance of the guanoed grass is now much more thick,
luxuriant, and promising, for next year than the other.
"Another friend of mine sowed grass in sandy soil with a full quantity
of manure, and an adjoining acre, with 400 lbs. Ichaboe guano. The
guanoed acre grew stronger, and retained its full verdure the whole
winter; the manured piece, on the contrary, became, as usual, brown by
the action of the frost."
Mr. T. as well as nearly all the English writers upon the subject, has
noticed the improvement in quality as well as quantity of grain and
garden vegetables. It is a well authenticated fact, that birds wont
touch the manured wheat, while they can obtain that which is much more
plump and rich where guano has been applied.
_Effects on Trees and Grape Vines._--"The experiments with guano on
trees which have come under my observation, including exotics number
about one hundred and fifty. The action has invariably been to produce
large foliage, of a deep healthy green."
The best mode of applying guano to fruit-trees, or flowering shrubs, is
to dig it into the earth at such distance from the trunk as will be
likely to meet the largest number of fibrous roots.
"For instance, round an apple-tree of ten years' standing, dig a trench
one or one and a half foot deep, at about the same distance from the
stem that the branches extend; let this trench be about one foot wide;
then put at the bottom one and a half inch depth of guano, dig it well
in, and incorporate it with the soil; then cover up carefully and press
the earth down. The effect of this application will unquestionably be
felt for several years."
On grape vines, the action of guano has been proved exceedingly
beneficial; increasing the growth of vines and fruit, improving the
flavor and hastening the ripening, so as to escape early frosts.
In planting young trees, put about a pint in the bottom of the hole
covering with soil so the roots will not touch it. No insects or grubs
will disturb the roots of such a tree.
"Several friends, who have tried guano this year on their pear-trees,
have reported to me the result to be greater crops, and of a much larger
size, than they ever had previously."
_Guano on Peas_--_Method of Applying._--The kinds on which I
experimented were Prince Albert, Shilling's early grotto, (a dwarf pea,)
blue imperial, and marrowfat. Draw a deep trench with a hoe, strew guano
in the trench, mix it up with the soil, over this put about one inch and
a half of earth, then sow the seed, and cover up. The quantity used
should about equal the quantity of seed. The produce of the three first
kinds of peas, was five full pecks to the quart of seed, besides a full
quart of seed gathered for next year. From the marrowfats I obtained
only four pecks and a half, and no seed. The growth of all was extremely
luxuriant. The marrowfats were six and a half feet high, the stems from
one to one and a quarter inch in circumference. Guano should be placed
at such a depth that the natural moisture of the earth will decompose it
and render it fit for the plant. In the lightest soils--plow and bury
guano a little deeper than in others more heavy; the guano itself
retains moisture, and absorbs it naturally.
_Guano on Beans_, doubled the yield of a paralel row, while the improved
flavor was perceptible to those who had no idea of the cause which
produced it. In drouth, the power given plants by guano, to resist the
scorching rays of the sun, is remarkable.
_On Melons_, the effect was equally favorable, giving a large increase
of highly flavored fruit.
_On Potatoes._--We give out of many equally favorable, only one
experiment, just to show the ability of farmers to grow this crop in the
most unsuitable soil, by a small expenditure for guano, twenty per cent.
better than with manure. Here it is. "Soil, very sandy and light;
quantity, 800 lbs. African (per ship Samos) to the acre; cost, $20. Same
soil, with twenty-two loads fine compost manure, cost $22. Yield, as
eleven to nine, or twenty-two per cent. in favor of guano, the potatoes
with which were larger than the others."
_On Turnips_, no manure is equal to guano. The crop has been doubled in
numerous instances. Mr. T. says of one experiment he made, "The plants
on this portion are now twice as large as those which have not had any.
It is perfectly beautiful to see the luxuriance of all these guanoed
vegetables compared with the others."
_On Strawberries_, nothing has ever been applied equal to guano,
provided the plants are plentifully watered. The best mode of
application is in solution. One pound is enough for ten gallons of
water.
_On Cauliflowers._--Two experiments, one with guano, the other with a
solution. The first are fine strong plants, particularly one to which I
gave a larger share than the other; it is heading finely. But those with
the solution are much larger and finer. I have been accustomed to
observe the cultivation of this vegetable, and never saw such a
luxuriant growth. They are now, (Sept. 15th) beginning to show flower;
and, if the season is favorable, I expect the heads will be very fine.
The plants are at least four times larger than those on the same piece
without guano, or any manure at all, planted on the same day, from the
same seed bed.
_On Rhubarb or Pie Plant_, guano has the most decided beneficial effect,
increasing the size, flavor and tenderness of the stalk; besides the
very great advantage of bringing it forward some two or three weeks
earlier in the spring. Fork it in all over the bed, just as early as the
frost will permit, at the rate of 600 lbs. to the acre.
_On Asparagus_, the same treatment will more than double the quantity of
this excellent, healthy vegetable. In the fall, give a dressing of
salt equal to 15 or 20 bushels to the acre. With the guano, nothing
else need be applied, if it is thoroughly mixed with the soil.
_For Vegetables, Plants, Trees, and Shrubbery generally_, where fruit is
an object, apply the guano as above, in powder. Where flowers of rare
size and beauty are desired, apply it in solution, or by frequently
stirring in small dressings just before a shower. Another important
observation on this subject is, that guano, or its solution, should
never be applied except at that period of the season when the growth of
wood is proper and natural.
_In forcing houses_, nothing can be equal to guano. One thing, it
produces no weeds, or insects; this is enough to insure its favor
wherever it may be tried.
_On roses_, the beneficial effect is already well known. If tea roses
are cut down when the bloom is over, repotted in fresh earth, and well
watered twice or thrice a week, with guano water, they will immediately
throw out luxuriant shoots, and be covered with their fragrant blossoms.
The cactus tribe will bear a larger quantity and stronger solution of
guano, without injury, than most other plants.
"During the progress of my experiments," says Mr. T., "I have been
delighted with the unfailing and extraordinary luxuriance of growth and
produce on a miserable spot of land, induced by the use of this manure,
and struck with the numerous instances which have come to my knowledge
of erroneous applications of it. On a stiff clay, guano would be of
little value, except on the surface, or an inch or two deep, unless it
were considerably lightened by the addition of sand, or well broken up
by exposure, in ridges, to frost, as every clay soil should be. A light,
porous, sandy soil would require 300 lbs. Peruvian, or 400 lbs. best
Ichaboe; and for this soil I think the Peruvian best adapted, as it
retains the ammonia longer, and, being less soluble in water than the
Ichaboe, its qualities are not so soon washed out."
In a soil already much enriched with manure, and at the same time
abounding in phosphate of lime, I have found the guano to produce less
visible effects than on a poor, sandy soil.
Most excellent effects have been produced by steeping seeds in guano
water of moderate strength for eight to twelve hours, dependent on the
kind of seeds, and then planting with one to three inches soil between
the seed and the guano. The steep encourages the growth of the young
plant, whose roots, in a more advanced stage, find the guano, which
continues the stimulus.
_Quantity for a Steep._--Put one, one and a half, or two teaspoonfuls of
guano, according to quality, in a quart bottle, shake up, and when
settled, use; then refill and use two or three times, previous to
putting in fresh guano. Or, in the large way, from fifteen to twenty
gallons of water to one pound; mix in a barrel, stir up and leave it to
settle, taking care, however, to put a cover on, to prevent the escape
of ammonia.
DIRECTIONS AS TO QUANTITY AND MANNER OF APPLYING GUANO TO VARIOUS CROPS
AND SOILS.
The best action of guano is undoubtedly upon naturally poor or worn out
light sandy soils. Next sandy loam--then loam proper--then clayey loam
or exhausted gravelly soil, and lastly cold stiff clay, or land
naturally wet. Upon the first particularly at the south, it should
always be plowed in from four to six inches deep; and will always afford
the greatest profit when applied to wheat land and that sown with
clover.
_Preparation of guano for use._--Until some ingenious Yankee invents a
cheap mill by which he will make a fortune and the lumps be easily
ground, the following method may be pursued. Take the bags on the barn
floor or in some close room with tight floor and sift the guano over a
box, through a 3/8 mesh sieve, putting the fine back in the bags and
lumps on the floor. These may be mashed with a stout hoe or shovel, or
with a block like a pavier's rammer. Sift and break again until all is
fine. Lay the dust with a very slight sprinkle from the nose of a
watering pot; of a solution of copperas, at the rate of 10 lbs. to the
cwt. of guano, or with plaster or loamy earth--woods mould or dry fine
clay. Many persons prefer to mix plaster with the guano in the first
instance at the rate of a peck of plaster to a bushel of guano--others
use an equal weight of each. Where plaster is not to be had, from five
to ten bushels of pulverized charcoal or dust from the coal pit, or
pulverized peat, to each hundred weight of guano may be used to fix the
ammonia and prevent loss. Sulphuric acid 1 lb. to 10 of water, with
which to sprinkle the mass may be used as a fixer. But if it is kept in
the bags, in a dry room, until ready for use, and then prepared, sown
and plowed in at once with as little exposure to the air as possible,
very little of the ammonia will escape. The true axiom to be observed in
the use of guano, is to plow it in as soon as possible after it is sown
and before it is moistened with dew or rain; and to plow it in deep, or
in some way thoroughly incorporate it with the soil, so that rains will
not wash it away, or hot sunshine cause it to evaporate. We hold all
top-dressings with guano, to be wasteful, on account of its volatile
character, and because it needs the moisture in the earth to fit the
substance of which it is composed so its fertilizing properties can be
taken up by the roots of the plants. If spread upon the surface, it must
wait for a dissolving shower to carry it down to the roots; in the
meantime, it is moistened by dews and evaporated by the sun, and carried
off to enrich your neighbor's crops half as much as your own.
_Preparing Land and Sowing._--When ready to plow the land for wheat,
measure an acre and lay it off in lands 18 feet wide; put the guano in a
pail and walk up one side and down the other with a moderate step
throwing handfulls across at each step, and you will find you do not
vary much from two hundred pounds to the acre. Never sow in a windy day
if it can be avoided, nor faster than it can be plowed in the same day.
_To prevent guano from getting into the mouth and nostrils._--Take a
thin piece of sponge and wet it and tie over the mouth and nose.
Whenever the dust accumulates, wash it out. If you must sow while the
wind is blowing, mix earth enough with guano to prevent blowing away.
_Depth it should be plowed in._--On light sandy land, there is no danger
of its ever being plowed in too deep. On sandy loam, it ought to be
plowed under at least six inches--eight inches would be better. On true
loam, a less depth will answer, though we are strong advocates of deep
plowing. On clayey loam, four inches will answer, and on clay,
particularly in the Northern States, if well harrowed or put in with the
cultivator, there will be no great loss of ammonia, as the clay is a
great absorber of that volatile substance. This rule may in general be
observed; upon the light lands of the south, it cannot be too deeply
buried; in the clay lands, or in the more heavy, cold, or moist lands of
the north, it may be covered too deep to benefit the first crop; but, if
the after cultivation is good, whatever is planted will be sure to be
benefitted. Upon granite soils, it will be of less value than silicious
or aluminous ones. Though most valuable on poor sandy or worn out old
fields like those of Virginia, already described, still it must not be
rejected by the owner of any land which can be improved by manure,
because this is a manure of the very best and most concentrated kind;
containing more of the ingredients necessary to promote vegetable
growth, in the exact proportion and combination, ready prepared for use,
than any other substance in the known world. It is a fertilizing
substance which none will reject who once learn its value, unless very
deeply prejudiced. It is idle to reject it because the Peruvian
Government wont let us have it at our own price, because we can profit
by it at theirs. It is nonsense to say, it will answer in the moist
climate of England, but not in our dry one. Truth deduced from
experience, in several States, in various climates and soils, refutes
all such sayings. Besides, it has been used with continued success in
the burning sun and soils of Peru, ever since the conquest by the
Spaniards, and, according to tradition for ages untold previous to that
time.
_Guano on Wheat._--We repeat, sow broadcast and plow in upon all light
lands, _deep_; at the rate of 200 to 600 lbs. to the acre, as you can
afford, or as the land requires--we believe in the small quantity and
repeat the next sowing, to be by far the most judicious. On heavy lands
you may harrow or cultivate it in, but the plow is better. It will do
well on lands previously limed, but should never be mixed with lime or
ashes, unless mixed with plaster or charcoal. If you must use it as a
top dressing in the spring, mix a bushel of plaster with every hundred
of guano, sow and harrow in--don't be afraid of injuring the wheat
Always sow clover or grass on guanoed grain.
_On Indian Corn._--Follow the same directions as for wheat, or if the
land is already rich, and you wish to give the corn an early start,
scatter at the rate of 100 to 200 lbs. guano in the furrow, and cover it
two inches deep with another furrow and then drill the corn. Be sure and
never let the seed come in contact with the guano, or you will kill it
most certainly. Guanoed corn should be sowed in wheat, particularly
whenever it has been dressed with a large quantity.
_To growing Corn_, if it is desirable to apply it, turn a furrow away
from the row on each side and scatter in the bottom at the rate of 300
lbs. per acre, and turn back the earth immediately.
_Green Corn_--roasting ears--are improved in taste by guano beyond
anything ever conceived of by the lovers of this luscious food.
_Quantity per acre._--Thomas S. Pleasants of Petersburg, Va., a
well-known writer upon agriculture, and who has had much practical
experience ever since the first introduction of guano into this country,
says:--"_Corn_ is a gross feeder and will take up a greater quantity of
guano than perhaps any other crop. I have known as much as 600 lbs.
applied to the acre and the product was in proportion. Each hundred
pounds will give an average product of ten bushels as various
experiments have proved From the above mentioned application of 600 lbs.
a product of 73 bushels was obtained, which left 13 bushels as the
product of the soil alone. For corn, guano may be spread broadcast on
the land and ploughed in as deeply as it is desirable to break the soil;
or it may be strewed along deep furrows to be afterwards ridged over and
the cultivation to be in only one direction. The best result I ever
obtained was from this latter mode, when from land not capable of
producing five bushels, I harvested a crop that could not have been less
than 35 bushels to the acre.
"The furrows were opened deep and wide by passing the plow both ways and
the guano strewed along these at the rate 1 lb. per every ten yards.
They were then covered over and the land thereby thrown into beds. But
in whatever way it is used, the roots of the corn will be sure to find
it all, and between these two modes, I think there is little or no
choice. I would certainly advise against putting it in the hill, though
I have sometimes seen good results. It is difficult, however, in such a
case, to prevent the guano and seed from coming into close contact;
and, unless there are two or three inches of earth interposed between
them the seed will be certainly destroyed."
_For wheat_, the guano should be spread broadcast at the time of
seeding the wheat, at the rate of 200 lbs. to 250 lbs. per acre and
ploughed in. If the land has been previously fallowed, it will be
sufficient to plow it in with a one horse plow; if broken up for the
first time, there will be no objection to using a larger plough. The
best depth for getting it in, however, is, I think, from four to six
inches. It always acts more powerfully on clean land; indeed if there is
much crude vegetable matter in the soil, there is frequently little or
no advantage derived from its application. Experience, therefore goes to
show that the most economical application is to corn land; that is, to
land that has just produced a crop of corn, no matter how poor it may
be. If it is intended to be put on land that has been lying in grass, it
would be advisable to fallow it as early in the season as practicable,
and afterwards to get it in with a small plow as already suggested.
The same direction will apply to oats and also to rye. But for oats, 125
to 150 lbs of guano will be as much as can be used to advantage.
A. B. Allen of New York, one of the earliest, and most strenuous
advocates of using guano, who, long before he ever thought of being
engaged in its sale, used to distribute small parcels among farmers and
gardeners to enable them to try experiments and learn its value, in a
letter to the Southern Cultivator, says:--"Never put guano in the hill
with corn, no matter if covered two or three inches deep; for the roots
will be certain to find it, and so sure as they touch the guano, so
caustic is it, that it will certainly kill the corn; the same with peas,
beans, melon vines, in fact most vegetable crops. Wheat and other small
grains have so many roots, and tiller so well, there is no danger of
guano killing them, when sown directly with the seed. Still, as before
remarked, it is better to plough it in before sowing the seed.
"After corn is up, you may apply a table spoonful, at the first time
hoeing; dig it an inch or two deep six inches from each stalk. A table
spoonful to the hill will take 250 to 350 lbs., per acre, according to
the distance the hills are apart. If the soil be rather poor, a second
dose at the time the corn first shows its silk, will add considerably to
the yield in grain, if followed by rains, but little or nothing to the
growth of stalk. Guano increases the size of grain more than stalks;
hence one must be content to wait till the grain is fully matured before
giving an opinion of the virtues of guano.
"Before applying the guano, it is better to mix it well with an equal
quantity of plaster of Paris or charcoal dust. Either of these
substances help to retain the ammonia and prevent its evaporation.
"The genuine unadulterated Peruvian guano, is so much superior to any
other kind, it is in reality the _cheapest_, though the price is
considerable higher than that of the other qualities."
_Guano on Oats._--Mr. Allen says, "I am satisfied from experience and
observation in the use of guano, for the past twelve years, that the
best method, decidedly, of applying it to crops in our dry climate, is
to plow or spade it into the ground; and autumn is the best time for
doing this, as it gives time for the pungent salts contained in the
guano, to get thoroughly mixed with the soil before spring planting. Do
not fear to loose the guano by plowing it in as deep as you please--it
will not run away, depend upon it. At the south, it loses half its
virtue if not plowed in at least three inches deep; six or twelve inches
would be still better."
Because "autumn is, for many reasons, the best season" for applying
guano, as a general thing, we do not recommend an application to this
crop, notwithstanding our full conviction it will increase the product
upon any light, poor soil, from ten to twenty bushels to the acre, for
each cwt. applied. As some however, will find it more convenient and
profitable to manure the oat than wheat crop, we recommend them to plow
in from 200 to 300 lbs. to the acre, on ground that was clean tilled the
previous year, and sow the oats in drills, three or four bushels to the
acre and seed with clover, herds, or ray grass. If not to be followed
with grass, we would use a much less quantity; say 125 or 150 lbs. to
the acre. As may be seen in the account of Mr. Harris' crop, not one
half of the 400 lbs. was taken up by the oats. With wheat, on the
contrary, the guano is dissolved more slowly by winter rains, giving the
crop a vigorous growth in fall, and sometimes all winter, so it sends
out double the number of stalks in spring. The sun too, is so much less
powerful at that season, evaporation does not take place so easily as in
summer.
_Great Crops from Guano._--In England, 48 bushels of wheat and 100 of
oats have been made from an acre dressed with 200 lbs. of guano. A late
English writer, in detailing his own experiments, and urging others to
the same course, says; "The reason guano is serviceable to all plants
arises from its containing every saline and organic matter required as
food. It is used beneficially on all soils; for, as it contains every
element necessary to plants, it is independent of the quality of the
soil. So far as the experiments in England and Scotland may be adduced,
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."
_Guano on Grass._--As we are opposed to using it as a top dressing, of
course we shall not recommend its application to this crop. Generally,
by using it on wheat and other crops, the farmer will save manure enough
to top dress his meadows. Nevertheless, in combination with proper
ingredients, we do say it is a good and profitable manure for grass. For
each acre mix from 200 to 400 lbs. with as many bushels of plaster, or
ten to one of charcoal, or twenty to one of dry swamp muck or peat,
woods mould or fine clay, and sow upon the meadow or pasture early in
spring. If the season is moist, the benefit will be very great; if dry,
it will probably be said, as it has been before; "Oh, this guano is good
for nothing--I tried it once on grass and it never done a bit of good."
_On potatoes_, 400 lbs. to the acre, broadcast, may be used to good
advantage, if it is plowed in deep enough, on clean land. As it is a
caustic manure, and requires a good deal of moisture, as well as
potatoes, it is not suitable for the hill or surface dressing. A less
quantity will pay a greater profit to the immediate crop, without much
after benefit, if it is drilled in the bottom of a deep furrow and then
covered by turning two furrows, one from each side, so as to leave a
slight depression between them, and directly over the guano. Upon these
beds plant the tubers in drills. After hoeing, scatter a mixture of
equal parts of lime, salt, ashes and plaster, a large handful every
yard, all over the rows, and we will warrant the crop free from the
potato rot.
_On turnips_, nothing can exceed guano, unless the phosphate of lime in
bones could be rendered equally pulverulent. Use 3 to 600 lbs. per acre,
and plow it in at the last plowing, and top dress with five bushels of
ashes and two of salt as soon as the turnips are up. Follow with wheat
or rye and grass. One half the above quantity and five bushels of bone
dust dissolved in sulphuric acid, will produce a wonderful crop of
turnips, or ruta bagas. Guano may be used to equal advantage upon all
kinds of root crops.
_Benefits to the Dairy Farmer._--The beneficial use of guano in the
manufacture of butter and cheese, is unquestionable. In many districts
in England, and in some in this country, the continual cropping of grass
and conversion of it into cheese, has so exhausted the soil of its
phosphates, the milk will no longer produce the quantity of casein
necessary to make cheese making profitable. When this is the case, you
will find the cows seeking to supply the deficiency by eating bones.
Wherever guano has been used upon pasture land, it is found that cows
eat the increased luxuriant grass most greedily, and improve not only in
quantity but quality of their milk. We cannot, therefore, recommend too
earnestly, to all dairy farmers, to give their pasture lands an
immediate dressing of guano. If you have not full faith in what we are
telling you, try an experiment for yourself. Mix 200 or 300 lbs. of
guano with two or three bushels of plaster, and that with two or three
loads of charcoal dust from the bottom of some coal pit, or from burnt
peat, or swamp muck; or, if the charcoal is not attainable, use woods
mold, or powdered clay or fine loam, to any extent you can afford; and
if you can afford nothing but the guano and plaster, don't fail to
afford a dressing of that, because it will afford you a rich return. No
other manure can be used upon pasture land, to produce the same effect.
Cattle never reject the grass of guanoed land, as they do that lately
manured.
_On Flax._--Experiments in England have proved guano superior to any
other substance ever applied to this crop. With the aid of this manure,
farmers will never complain of flax exhausting the soil. With 300 lbs.
per acre, successive large crops can be grown upon the same ground. It
should be plowed in, but not so deeply as for some other crops, as it is
not expected to benefit succeeding ones as much as the present. As soon
as the "flax cotton" movement now progressing is fully understood, there
will be immense fields of flax grown for that purpose, and the best and
most economical fertilizing material, and for which there will be a
large demand, will be Peruvian guano; for no good farmer will attempt to
grow a crop without it. A top dressing of 25 or 30 bushels of ashes to
the acre will be found beneficial; but farmers ought to try which is
best, more guano and less or no ashes, or the reverse. We cannot advise
rotation with this crop, where guano is used, because the ground becomes
so clean and free from weeds, it is of great advantage, and so far as we
are informed, continuous good crops result from the annual application
of the same quantity of guano, year after year.
_On Cabbages._--Field culture. After the ground is well prepared, lay it
off in checks three to four feet square. With a spade, throw out a deep
spit at each check and put in a spoonful of guano, or at the rate of 400
lbs. per acre, and cover with soil. Set the plants immediately and water
if possible. After the first hoeing, throw a handful of ashes on each
plant.
_For Carrots, Beets and Parsnips_, plow in 500 lbs. per acre, twelve to
eighteen inches deep. Top dress with ashes, salt, and fine manure in
compost, to assist the young plants; the long roots will find the guano
and it will produce such a crop as you never saw before.
_On Hops._--Make a mixture of three cwt. of guano, one of salt, one and
a half of saltpetre, and one of gypsum, for each acre; sow broadcast and
plow in about four inches deep, and you will find your manure well paid
for, and no exhaustion of the soil, as is usually the case wherever this
crop is cultivated, as it is a very gross feeder, and requires very rich
land or great deal of manure; for which reason it is not as much
cultivated as it will be as soon as the virtues of the above application
become fully known.
_For Tobacco_, guano has been found to possess superior qualities,
particularly in obviating the difficulty heretofore experienced in
getting plants sufficiently early. We have the testimony of several
witnesses to prove that burning a seed bed is quite unnecessary, if
guano at the rate of 400 to 600 lbs. to the acre be mixed with an equal
amount of ashes, and plaster and well raked in previous to sowing. Of
the effect upon the crop, we give the testimony of a Virginia planter.
"In the spring of 1850, I applied 200 lbs. to the acre, on eight acres
of land, which had been manured three years before for tobacco, and the
same quantity, on three acres which had never been manured, and was very
poor. On the last I also turned in some half rotted straw, raked up in
the barn yard, after all the farm yard manure had been hauled out.
Between these two pieces of land, 19 acres were heavily manured. The
whole 30 acres had been well broken with four horses, early in the
winter. The last year was the worst I have ever known for tobacco.
Nevertheless, the first eight acres produced a very fine crop--the last
three acres brought much better tobacco than the adjoining manured land,
I should say not less than 600 lbs. to the acre."
_Wheat on Guanoed Tobacco Land._--This field was sown with wheat, and
the writer says--"I measured from these 30 acres next year upwards of
600 bushels of wheat of very fine quality; both pieces of guanoed land
being _above_ the average of the whole lot. Adjoining the _three_ acres
is an equal quantity of land of the same quality, which did not yield
five bushels to the acre."
Of the effect upon another crop of wheat, the same gentleman says--"Two
years ago I purchased three tons, two of which I applied to 20 acres of
a James River hill, which though not gullied, had been a good deal worn
by hard croppings, or bad cultivation, or both combined. The Guano was
sowed _dry_, and on the wide rows laid off for sowing wheat, and
ploughed in with two horses, the wheat then harrowed in. I forgot to say
that the land had been fallowed in with three horses in the month of
August, and the wheat sowed in October. In consequence of the dryness of
the guano, and the width of the rows, the wheat was very much striped,
being very luxuriant where the guano fell in the largest quantities. The
product did not exceed 200 bushels, or 10 bushels to the acre, but the
quality was so superior that I saved it all for seed."
"The land sowed two years ago, is now _striped with clover_, as it was
with wheat."
This land is a tenacious red clay formation, from which the soil we
presume has all been washed away "long time ago." No planter, he says,
would have put such land in tobacco without heavy manuring; and yet it
produced a fair crop of tobacco. Owing to distance from navigation, he
could not use lime, or any heavy manure, and without guano he could not
make crops, and, consequently could not make manure at home.
The editor of the American Farmer, in a note says--"Our correspondent
appears to desire that his land should be brought to a state of
fertility by the _quickest_ practicable process, and from the beautiful
results of his experiments with guano, we know of no agent to which he
could look with so much certainty of success as to that very manure."
_The quantity per acre for Tobacco._--We should recommend at least 400
lbs. sown broadcast and plowed in, on such land as described, not over
four inches deep. The tobacco to be followed with wheat, the wheat with
clover, the clover after one year with corn and then tobacco and guano
again. The clover should have a bushel of plaster fall and spring.
Whoever tries this will find the benefit of guano on tobacco. But there
is one still greater benefit; we have been assured that the tobacco worm
which it was supposed from his natural taste, nothing could nauseate,
actually gets sick of guano, and refuses his accustomed food.
_Another mode of applying_ it to tobacco has been practised successfully
as follows:--Mark off the land in checks and put a small spoonful in
each check, and cover up directly under the bed where the plant is to
stand, three or four inches deep. To this a handful of ashes and plaster
may be advantageously added. Guano does not give tobacco the rank flavor
that is often acquired from high manuring.
Mr. Pleasants, although many experiments have failed, principally, as he
believes, from improper application, says in a recent letter--"There is
no actual reason why guano should not act as well on tobacco as any
other crop. The failures are doubtless to be ascribed to the injudicious
manner in which it has been applied. I can conceive of only one mode in
which it can be used to advantage, and that is by strewing it along a
deep furrow as described for corn; then bedding upon it and confining
the cultivation to one direction. This has been my way of cultivating
cabbages for the market for several years, and the guano has always
acted promptly and powerfully. If chopped in at the base of the hill it
would require a great quantity of rain to dissolve it and make it
available to the young plants, for the conical shape of the hill has a
tendency to shed the rain instead of absorbing it. I expect soon to
receive very accurate results of a crop grown with guano, which Judge
Nash represented to me as splendid. If I cultivated tobacco, I should
have every confidence of success by planting it on ridges with the Guano
buried at a considerable depth, say from four to six inches beneath the
surface of the ridge--1 lb. to ten yards would be a sufficient quantity.
"In short, I consider guano good for any crop. For potatoes (that is
Irish potatoes) I regard it as a specific manure. The quantity I apply
is 3/4 lbs. to every ten yards put in the furrows as recommended for
corn and tobacco, and then covered over about one inch with earth drawn
from the sides of the furrows. After this the potato cuttings are
planted and covered over with the plough or hoe. The quantity
recommended is about right as far as my experience goes (which is of
several years duration) if the cuttings are placed about two inches
apart."
_Guano for Cotton._--But few trials upon this crop have come to our
knowledge, but such as have, indicate that it will prove one of the most
valuable promoters of the growth of this staple product of America ever
discovered. The analysis of cotton--stalk, seed and lint--compared with
that of guano, is sufficient to prove the latter to be the very matter
required to produce the former. We are assured upon the most reliable
authority that guano will give an average increase of pound for pound
upon any soil producing less than a bale per acre so that every pound of
guano costing two and a half cents, will give a pound of cotton
averaging at least 6-1/4 cents.
_Mode of applying on Cotton Land._--Open a deep furrow and drill in the
bottom at the rate of 400 lbs. to the acre, upon land usually producing
300 to 500 lbs. seed cotton, and less for a better quality of land, down
to one-fourth the quantity. Bed on this as deep as you please; the
moisture of the earth will disengage the ammonia and phosphates, and
send their fertilizing properties up to the roots. Never use guano as a
top-dressing for cotton. The seed will be found better matured, and
consequently more valuable to manure another crop, besides being so much
easier separated from the lint, which will be found as much improved in
quality as quantity. For Sea Island planters, where manure is so
valuable and so hard to obtain, we would earnestly recommend a thorough
trial of guano. As the land for this crop is mostly prepared with hoes,
care must be taken that the servants do not neglect to bury it at the
very bottom of a good bed.
From the knowledge the writer has of the culture and value of long
staple cotton, and the price and value of guano, he has no hesitation in
expressing his honest conviction that a clear profit of two to four
hundred per cent. may be made upon every dollar expended in the purchase
and proper application of guano to that crop.
Guano, for all staple crops in the United States, is no longer an
experiment. It has been clearly demonstrated, to be the cheapest and
most valuable fertilizer, particularly for all poor, worn out, hard used
and exhausted soils ever discovered; which no sensible man will neglect
to profit by, as soon as he learns its value, unless prevented by deep
prejudice or strong circumstances.
_Application to Miscellaneous Crops._--Under this head we will give the
experience of several individuals in various sections, soils and
climates, in hopes it may encourage the doubtful, and direct those who
are disposed to emerge from darkness into the light of scientific
agriculture. A gentleman from Warsaw, Virginia, where the soil is
generally a sandy loam, badly worn by long years of bad tillage, says,
"My wheat looks finely, especially where I applied guano last fall. I
put it in with the seed furrow about three inches deep, and also with
double plow six inches deep, harrowing in the wheat frequently side by
side. At this time I can see no difference in the wheat crop. I use a
large wooden toothed harrow extending over the bed of ten feet, and an
even soil, free from stone; they do admirable work and drill the wheat
as if put in with the drill."
Willoughby Newton, whose operation we have already spoken of, says; "I
do not believe it possible to improve a farm, on the old three shift
system, of corn, wheat and pasture, without a large supply of foreign
manures. If clover can be substituted for pasture in the summer, then
the land, if not naturally poor, may be rapidly improved by the use of
lime alone, in addition to the putrescent manures that may, by proper
care, be made on the farm. On other land of less fertility, and drier, I
greatly prefer the five field system, under which, with the use of lime,
guano and clover, a rapid improvement may be effected at the same time
that heavy crops of wheat are reaped."
Another writer in speaking of how to improve worn out lands, says; "Let
whatever little surplus he can spare from supplying the necessary wants
of his family be laid out in the purchase of some one of the reliable
concentrated manures. [Guano is by far the cheapest, and therefore the
best for him, if he will plow it in well]. And my observation and
experience have convinced me that he may make such improvement as will
bring him a quick return, and soon enable him to get his farm well set
in grass. This once effected, his facilities for its further improvement
will assuredly increase in a ratio just in proportion as he is careful
to pursue the course indicated. If a farmer can succeed in getting his
fields well set in grass, a large and long array of facts and experience
have proved that he may then, under a judicious course of management,
render them more and more fertile without foreign aid of any kind
whatever."
The editor of the American Farmer, in deprecating the price of guano
says, "Of the efficacy of guano, in restoring worn out lands to
productiveness--of its capacity to increase the yield of any lands in a
sound condition--there cannot be a doubt; but even with all its
regenerating properties, we do think that its market value is too high.
Forty-eight dollars for a ton of 2,000 lbs. of Peruvian guano is more
than it is intrinsically worth, and should it be continued thus high,
must, we should think, limit its use, for the obvious reason, that
farmers cannot afford to pay a price for it which is so disproportionate
to its real value."
Yet they do continue to pay, and make it pay a greater profit than any
other manure ever purchased. We hold to have done as much as any other
individual to reduce the price of guano, and wish as heartily as does
the editor of the Am. Farmer, it was only half the price it now is; yet,
we must counsel our readers not to wait for that cheap time coming. It
is now cheaper than it was then, and probably as low as it will be for
years; and in the hands of the present agents, the public may depend
upon a regular supply, and of genuine quality, at what the Peruvian
government deem a fair price.
_Guano for Melons and other Vines._--Mr. Pleasants, of whom we have
before spoken, and whose long experience in the use of guano in
connection with a market garden, entitle him to a high degree of credit,
says, "I have been in the habit of using it for several years, and can
testify to its value, not only using it for melons, but for the whole
tribe of cucurbitacæ. The mode of application which I prefer is this;
when the ground is prepared and checked off, remove the loose soil at
the intersections of the furrows, leaving clear spaces on the substratum
of not less than eighteen inches in diameter. Upon these spaces sprinkle
guano, at the rate one pound to eight hills. Follow with a hilling or
grubbing hoe, and incorporate the guano with the subsoil; then draw the
loose earth back, and finish by chopping a small quantity, a spadeful or
less, of well rotted manure into the hill near the surface. Guano placed
near the surface, will remain almost inert, and buried deep, as I
recommended, it will be too remote from the seed to give the young
plants the quick start which is indispensable to an early crop of
melons. The small quantity of manure near the top of the hill answers
the purpose of immediate forcing, and enables the roots to strike
rapidly into the guano, when the growth of the vines will be stimulated
to such a degree as to cause them to mature their fruit a week or ten
days earlier than they would do from either guano or manure alone.
Melons equally fine may be raised from nothing but guano, applied in the
manner directed; but they will not be an early crop, from the fact that
the plants remain almost stationary until the roots reach the guano.
Last year, from such a preparation as is now recommended, I had as fine
a crop of melons as I ever saw; and they began to ripen at a very early
period in the season. Two years ago, I had them nearly or quite as good
from guano alone; but they were late. This year the crop was almost a
failure, from the wetness of the season, which caused the vines to die.
Cantelope melons, however, have produced abundantly, grown entirely with
the aid of guano. Where manure is scarce, I have no doubt an admirable
compost might be prepared, consisting of guano and rich earth. It
should be made several weeks, or even months, before it is wanted for
use; and the heap worked over frequently in order to bring it into a
suitable condition. Such a compost would doubtless supply the place in
the hill which I have assigned to the manure. For pumpkins, squashes,
cymblins and cucumbers, when it is not particularly desirable to have
them early, nothing more is necessary than to prepare the hills with
guano."
The following extract from a letter of E. G. Booth, to F. C. Stainbrook,
written in that plain familiar style of one friend to another, which
characterises the man, with an evident intent to do good; though it was
not designed for publication, we give it because we believe it will do
others good, as well as the recipient. Mr. Booth confirms our opinion
often expressed, that the poor old barren fields of lower Virginia, are
really more valuable than the rich lands of the west; because, owing to
facilities of intercourse with commercial cities by water, these lands
can be bought, and cultivated by aid of guano, with more profit than the
richest prairie farm in Illinois. Mr. Booth's testimony upon the
durability of this manure, is enough to contradict all the assertions
that "it is of no use for only one crop." On his land, strangers can
easily tell where guano was applied four years previous.
"Yours of the third has been received, and it affords me pleasure to
give you any information in my power. The wheat crop during the the
winter was very unpromising. There was a general complaint that it was
too thin. The Poland wheat (most generally sown in this neighborhood,)
is said to branch more than other kinds, and I regard the present
prospect of the wheat crop as flattering, particularly where guano was
used. It is now a fixed fact, that no poor land ought to be cultivated
without guano, by any person who can command the money or credit to buy
it. It is remarkable that it pays a much better profit, or per cent. on
the investment, on poor land, than rich. I was inclined for some time to
believe that the difference was really in appearance alone. The
difference of five bushels increase on land which without it would bring
only fifteen--or in other words, an increase from fifteen to twenty
bushels to the acre, would not be very perceptible, while an increase of
five bushels on land previously making only five, would be very evident.
Still, the real increase would be five bushels in each case. I am now
however, decidedly of the opinion that it pays a much larger per cent.
on poor than rich land; because it supplies that in which poor land is
deficient, and of which rich land may have enough. I have it now in
strips on a clover fallow, scarcely showing any difference. I last
applied it on about the poorest land on my plantation, and the product
was remarkable. This circumstance much reduces the difference between
the value of poor and rich land, and admonishes us that there is not a
plot in our wide extended surface, which need be abandoned or neglected.
We can, if we manage properly, support a population which will out vote
the West in 1865. There is another fact which experience confirms, that
is it is much more durable than at first supposed. My visitors have been
able to point out the strips of land on which it was sown, four years
after its application. I noticed a very evident effect on the farm of
Mr. William Fitzgerald, a few days ago. He last year put it in drills,
and hilled on them for tobacco, in the fall the whole surface was sown
in wheat, which is now growing in ridges corresponding with the furrows
where it was placed.
"While on the subject I will mention another fact different from first
impressions, viz: that it is more productive, (the first crop, at
least,) when harrowed in with the grain, on the surface, than when
turned in very deep. I have yet to satisfy myself which is most durable.
In the experiment which lasted four years, I think it was turned in. The
purchases the ensuing fall will be very large. Those who were most
incredulous are now going in largely. A very intelligent and
enterprising friend of mine, who has been improving his land judiciously
and profitably in this way, related to me an anecdote which occurred to
him. He had two neighbors remarkable for their judgment and success in
farming as well as other things, who, however, were inclined to
underrate his expenditure of money in these elements of improvement.
They knew he had purchased and used a ton of guano, and thought they
knew where he had used the whole of it. They went, not exactly by night,
but rather privately, to examine into the result. They made their
observations and calculations, and agreed that he had got his money
back, but no profit worthy consideration, and were only confirmed in
their opposition to such an expenditure. The truth was, however, that
only about one eighth of the ton had been used where they calculated for
the whole. One of these gentlemen, I am informed, is now about the
largest purchaser of such articles in the county; and perhaps the other
also, though I have not been informed."