Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-09-17

equal It's promise there Will GOT be fHk}be neans o.
permanent amelioration That the 4efi1< qualities Of
guano is ielt but by one crop, is retuted bXNy expe-
Renee. The wheat succeeding tobacco aN4 Fofn, g
which it had been applied broad cast and 51 NM MI
showed its effects more plainly than the pre- 0yops
That its effects may be exhausted by QQ toQ
frequent cultivation, is entirely rational F1f 4apDe q
proper system OF rest it is not seen why $1r1
lose its enchng effects sooner than those OF saAel
nure which derives most Of its efficacy from anfnonas
the chief constituent OF guano.
1t is due TO candor TO say, that my trials at home
have not been successful. Iappied it in quantities
of 200 and 100 lbs to two OF my fallow, compri-
sing soil mostly OF light red clay wholly free from
sand and reduced by the winter frost to almost an i'm
palpable powder on the surface The guano was bad
y sown and the only to be dscerned OF it, in the
growth OF the wheat, along the steps OF the sower
who attempted to scatter it too broad space
Towards the last of October applied 200 lbs. to an
acre of similar soil in my land. 1t there equalled
my most sanguine expectations and if had been
over the whole surface, it would have presented
still more striking result.
Where some two acres Of my land to the depth OF
two three te had been transported form the EN-
bankmen of the Railroad | endeavoured TO grow Il
crop of oats with the aid Of Guano The subsoll
was so compact, that | could not plough it thorough
y do not think plouohed it to an average depth OF
more than three or four inches. had not time to use
the coulter 1t was bare clay, with admixture, oc-
caslonally, OF soft yellowish rock, disinegraliug
from freezing and constituting in my opinion, a val
liable base oil our mountain soil To part of this a6-
raded land, applied Guano and Plaster in equal guam
titles, at the rare OF 800 lbs Of the former to the acre;
in the other part, used, in the same quantity, Guano
simply line whole seeded in oats and clover
which grew off with equal luxuriance but, in short
time, the oats and clover tive land receiving the
Guano alone, dried up, and finally died completely off
On that plat, there was no crop But where | had
used Guano and Plaster in equal quantities together
reaped crop entirely satisfactory for rich land
What is the Of this difference Why," excaims
good neghbor OF mine ,ncredulous OF Guano, as CT
all neo things sit is the Plaster that has done the good
with Plaster? My word for it it would nave
done as well as the Guano and Plaster together"
Butmy reasonng.ls different Such burning and con-
cenrated manure, put into SO shallow DEPTH was
sufficient in my opinion, to destroy the vegetation and
such, think, its action. At any rate, there is the
result, which you may at any time witness by walk
on the Rail-road-one part with good stand OF clo-
upon it, and greatly reclaimed; the other, red pow
derry and naked-a cdput m0rtuuB. This IS one OF
the thousand cases in agriculture where we can reach
sale conclusion without more data In corrobora-
ton Of my view, | can state that at my Mill Farm,
made the trial of Guano, and the mixture OF Qua
and Plaster oats and could see no difference in
the results but during dry spell, the oats seemed
about dry up and fail but timely rain restored them,
and gave me crop, but not good one.
This experience satisfies me, that the use OF Guano on
spring crops is ofdoubtlu expediency. Where tobacco
hasb MANFRED from the farm pen, have found Qua
OF great use quickenlng and increasing its growth;
but my experiments with ii this spring on tobacco,
assisted with other manure, makes me as yet, doubt
u whether ii be relied on alone, Tor this crop 1t
is true, my tobacco where it was applied alone, is very
late; and may yet present better appearance 1t equals,
however, Joining tobacco of the same planting, which
had been MANFRED from the farm pen.
But, unquesonably, the great use to be made otths
great fertilizer is for wheat poor land feel SO well
satisfied OF its profitable Use to this crop that shall
greatly enlarge my consumption oft this fall The
counts which another years trial by so many of our
counrymen will give u.s. must render certain our know
ledge OF its effects. lfmy idea Of its benefits should be
realized by others, | hope to have many aborers
in the necessary and important effort free the trade
Of it from the shackIes ofhat monopoly, which en-
hahces its price, and must restrict ITS use.
| have been encouraged by your known zeal for the
farming interest, to make this draft upon your columns;
and hope you will excuse me to your readers.
With my best wishes,
Your friend and servant,
ALEX RIVES.