Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-01


same time, from two hundred and Fifty te
three hundred lbs. of guano, in nine ex
perin1ents out Of ten, beat from twenty te
thirty tons of farm-yard manure, on most O.
the cultivated crops ; but from the Scotch
experiments; what are called special ma
nures, Those above mentioned-saline ma
nures,) take precedence Of guano on the
cereals. 1t ought, perhaps, however, to
be stated, that Henry Coleman, in his
work on European Agriculture, writes
rather disparagingly of the nitrates, and
thinks they serve mainly, to increase the
amount of straw, without a correspondent
benefit to the grain; consider it however,
much safer to rely upon the accurate Scotch
experiments, than upon the general, and
perhaps loose opinion of the distinguished
author above referred to. | will mention
as pass on, that guano compares well
with any manures on grass, as atop-dress-
ing.
Many of the Scotch experiments have
been conducted with the special object OF
ascertaing the permanent effect of guano.-
In these experiments, the comparison is
made with twenty or thirty tons of farm
yard manure, and three crops taken off of
each parcel of land that is from the one
dressed with guano, and the other with
farm-yard manure. The guano beats the
first year, the farm-yard manure is a shade
better in the second crop, generally oats
or clover but little difference in the third.
But have noticed some FIVE or six exper-
iments in which the comparison was made
with the produce ola plat of land with ont
any manure, and with this, the guano
maintained its superiority the first, second
and third year. A theoretical view con
firms the idea Of the lasting effect Of guano
Two hundred and fifty lbs. is the ordinary
dressing for an acre Of wheat this CON
tains sixty-two lbs. of phosphate Of lime.
Now, if the wheat drew altogether from
the guano and nothing from the land,a fair
crop from the analysis of that plant
would not contain more than twenty lbs.
ofphosphatc of lime, and as this substance
is permanent and not subject to evapora-
ton, the residue, after supplying the wheat
crop, is left for the uses of subsequent
crops. | have carefully looked through
the last Patent Office Report (for 1919 and
1S50) through the numbers of the South
ern Planter for two years back, and Pro
fessor Mapes' and SINNERS, and several
other agricultural papers, andalthough the
experiments mentioned IN these papers
show favorable results for guano,yet Ihave
not met with solitary satisfactory exper
ment that is, where a comparison was
made with nothing, OF. tarm-yard manure,
and the produce Of straw and grain, accu-
rately measured or weighed and the net
product, after paying for investment and
application, of each, contrasted. | have
therefore not collated these experiments.
The field for accurate experiment on
Indian Corn and tobacco, may be said to
be untrodden, new and full of interest,"
There were eight or ten experiments re-
ported at our last meeting ofthe effects of
guano on tobacco, but no member weighed
the guaao-dressed tobacco, but merely spoke
ofits general appearance.
The ash of Indian corn contains a large
amount of phosphoric acid-tobacco com
parativcly little. The ammonia of guano
would probably have fine effect on to-
bacco, as most heterogeneous manurcs favor
the growth of leaf
| must express an impression although
a mere theory | have, of the value of the
nitratcs as manure for tobacco. These
even when applied to other
crops, have decided tendency to increase
the leafy or carbonaceous part Of the
plant, and as tobacco contains more nitrate
of potash, than perhaps any other plant, it
must exact good deal of this substance
from any soil in which it Hourishes.
There is great encouragement to use
special manurcs ON tobacco; it pays better
per acre, than any other crop. Fifteen
bushels is fair crop of wheat per acre
Now, if the guano increases the crop thir-
ty per cent. at 81, the increased product is
worth 81 so. Eight hundred pounds is
a good crop oftobacco per acre; at 81 per
hundred, it would be worth 500 Thirty
per cent. on this is SIG so.
There are occasional drawbacks on the
profits from the use of these condensed or
special manures that ought to be calcula-
ted.
1. Drought has considerable effect on
most of them.
2. The diseases to which the wheat
crop, the tobacco crop, and the potato
crop are liable. If the wheat crop fails
from rust; the tobacco crop from fire or
rot, or the potato crop from disease, the
planter at least loses the volatile parts of
these manures, besides his loss oflabor in
cultivating his crop.
Another ingredient in the cultivation of
the profit of guano, is the probable error in
the average of experiments, by occasional
ly mixing the dishonest statements of those
interested in the guano trade, with others
that are true. Its the interest Of some to
cxaggcratc It's efficacy, of none to deprcci
ate it,
The frauds practised in England, by
adulterating guano, have been so frequent
and foul that it ought to be warning to
our Legislature to enact the strictest inspec-
ton laws; and turn out every incompc-
tent inspector, should one be unfortunate
y appointed. To repeal the inspec-
ton law for guano might inAict a blow
upon the prosperity of our State, that
would be felt through all time. Adultera-
ted guano might destroy the reputation
of the genuine article as manure, and it
might fall into disusc.
GEO. w. READ.
one WANT SuPrLIEp-Mr. ID. III. Es-
till, with commcndable spirit of cnterprise
has just completed Candle Factory, and
is acknowledgements ofan excellent quail
ty, firm glossy, without any disagreeable
smell, and they burn admirably. Mr.. Els
till is prepared to furnish candles by the
how n, C;,,,.,,,o,, ,,.,,.o. 81 $50 - FL -