Since the body of this work was in type, the following letters have been
placed in our hands. They contain so much valuable information we are
induced to append them. It will be seen by the dates, that they give the
results of the most recent experiments. The names of the writers will be
recognized as those of reliable, practical men.
LETTER FROM SETH CHAPMAN ESQ., OF JAMAICA.--700 lbs. of guano
to the acre, profitable--Lasting benefits of one application--Advantage
of top dressing grass lands with guano--Benefit of guano to all Long
Island soil--Great benefit on turnips.
"_Jamaica, L. I., Sept. 13, 1852._
MR. THEO. RILEY, ESQ., Dear Sir:--In reply to your inquiry
relative to the use of Peruvian guano on Long Island, I would say,
forming my opinion from experience and observation that the mode of
tillage--the rotation of crops, and the way of applying guano--are
about as follows: Commence with corn, which is usually on green
sward, after being mowed and pastured from four to six years.
First, plow in the spring as soon as the frost is out of the
ground, which is generally about the 20th of March. Prepare the
ground for planting the 1st of May, by harrowing well two or three
times. Before the last time harrowing, apply about 250 or 300 lbs.
of guano to the acre, sown broadcast, and then mark out with plow,
or lace, about four and a half feet apart, each way; apply a small
quantity to the hill, one third of a gill is as much as will be
safe, and that should be in the form of a ring about a foot in
diameter, and the corn dropped in the center, otherwise it will be
likely to kill the corn by the sprouts coming in contact with the
guano when they first start. It will not do to put the guano in the
hill and plant the corn upon it. It was not uncommon for farmers to
have to plant their corn all over before they become acquainted
with its effects; but as using it in the hill, in a pure state, is
generally attended with some risk, it is the practice in this
vicinity to use yard manure, at the rate of one third or half a
shovelful to the hill; but as that manure is generally weak, they
have adopted the very excellent plan of sprinkling say 50 lbs. of
guano to a wagon load (30 bushels) of manure. As we cart the manure
in the fall to the field where it is intended to be used the
following spring, (1) the guano can be mixed through it with but
little trouble, when it is turned and broken up just before use. It
adds very much to the value of the manure, as the difference of
harvesting plainly shows. Muck or pond dirt could be used in the
same way, in place of manure. Some apply it about the hill at the
time of hoeing. It should not be thrown on top, but sprinkled
around the corn at the rate of half a gill per hill. After corn, we
sow oats, or barley, or plants potatoes; if oats, plow once, sow
150 or 200 lbs. of guano, and two bushels of oats to the acre, and
harrow in together. It pays well to use guano for oats, as the crop
of oats will be doubled on ordinary lands; 50 and 60 bushels is
frequently obtained, and the difference in the straw, is worth the
expense of the guano.[2] Barley is not much sown; it would require
a little more guano, say 50 lbs. additional. Potatoes, (Mercers) we
plant from middle of March to first of May, after sowing broadcast
from 400 to 600 lbs. of guano per acre, plowed in and harrowed
over; then mark out with plow three feet apart, drop in drills
about a foot apart. Some prefer it in the drills, at the rate of
what they can grasp in one hand to a pace of two and a half feet;
it should be sprinkled so too much will not come in contact with
the seed. After oats or potatoes, sow wheat, about first of
October; if on oats, plow as soon as the oats are off; when ready
to sow, apply from 500 to 700 lbs. of guano per acre, cross plow,
and your ground is ready for the seed. As to the varieties of
wheat, there are several kinds used; the Mediterranean is the most
popular at present--one and a half bushels is generally sown to the
acre, and the land laid down to grass, with timothy and clover.
Some apply less at time of sowing, and add 100 or 150 lbs. per acre
in the spring, just as the grass is starting, say first of April.
If wheat is sown after potatoes, about the same treatment is given,
except 100 lbs. less guano will answer. Some harrow in guano,
instead of plowing it under; but experience shows that it is much
the best to plow it in, as the virtue remains in the ground much
longer, by being covered deep. Peruvian guano will produce the best
wheat of anything we can use, even if we should go to double the
expense with other manures. Crops of 30 and sometimes 40 bushels
have been obtained to the acre with guano. The average crop of
wheat on the Island, is not over 18 bushels per acre, and with 700
lbs. of guano plowed in pretty deep, the land can be mowed about as
long as from an application of stable manure. But as hay is a most
important crop, after it has been mowed for two or three years, it
is considered profitable to top dress with about 150 lbs. per acre;
this will increase the crop from one ton to two per acre, if a fair
season, and can be mowed two or three years longer. Rye is sown in
many instances, in place of wheat; it gets the same treatment,
except half the quantity of guano is only used. Buckwheat requires
about 100 lbs. of guano to the acre, more or less, according to the
state of the land.
For ruta baga turnips, there should be 600 lbs. sown to the acre;
plow twice and harrow well after sown. After you have hoed them
out, give them a light top dressing of more guano. I have raised at
the rate of 700 bushels, managed in that way, to the acre. We have
had one of the most extreme drouths the present season I ever
remember. Crops on which guano was used, have suffered less, and
are now yielding better than where stable manure has been used.
This is quite different from the opinion that some have formed, as
to guano requiring a wet season. To prepare guano for use, it
should first be sifted, to separate the lumps, so that they may be
pulverized, then dampen by sprinkling with water, and mixed through
with a shovel. This should be done a few days before you wish to
use it, so as to allow the dampness to strike through uniform. (3)
I have not had any experience with compost, or using it on garden
vegetables, or plants, except I know it should be used in
homeopathic doses, or it will destroy more than it will produce. As
to the soil, guano answers well anywhere on Long Island, although
some parts of the Island has a very different soil from others,
with one exception; that is, it is all hungry for manure. I
therefore do not know the kind of soil it is most applicable to,
since it seems to suit all kinds.