Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1851-06-25
A GRI CULT UR AL.
GUANONTHE, MODE OF USING IT.

L.
Though much has-been~ written on the subject
there is still much diversity of opinion thereon.
One writer advocates its use without Plaster OF
Paris, another, or rather Others, strongly recon-
mend the full use Of plaster with it. Now, how
are those persons who have never yet used Guano
to determine which course to pursue? l would
answer, by weighing well the for against
the Plaster, advanced by those who have tried it
sufficiently, or by making the experiment each for
himself
As have used the article extensively for four
years, think my experience with it is sufficient
to give some weight to the opinions shall advance
In this article.
brought into this country, in the spring of the
year lS47, three tons of African Guano, the first
parcel introduced here for field use. Since that
time have purchased and used, or am now using
81 tons more some African, the (Saldana Bay
Guano) and some Peruvian. Before purchasing
and using the article, | had conversation with
benjamin Hallowell, of Alexandria, Va, well
known as scientific chemist and practical farmer.
lie advised me to Plaster, in the proportion of
sae part of Plaster, to two of Guano.
followed his advice, and think, with the hap
pest results, the statement | shall give will
show.
But will first mention friend Hallowell's rea-
sos for the use of Plaster.
The first was, to Yrevent the loss of the free
monia, which is highly volatile, by combining it
with the sulphuric acid of the Plaster and the
second was, by it to prevent the too rapid dissolu
';ion of humus contained in the soil. Both ofthese
reasons are highly important.
writer in the Richmond Wing, MIR. Peasants,
contends that greater crops of wheat are produced
without the plaster in combination with Guano,
than with and says, ''that the Plaster fixes the
ammonia ineXtricably," IN other words, that sui
phate of ammonia is an insoluble SALT
This is most certainly mistake, and it may
lead others, besides certain friend of mine, to
follow his advice to their serious loss The friend
alluded to, in the fall of 1S49, sowed his Guano
unmxed. and had fine growth of wheat certain
Iy, though no better than my own, and had the
next Spring better stand of clover than mine
This was the best land but nearly all his clover
persisted last summer, (Which attributed to the
absence of Plaster,) while mine lived, and is now
luXuuant growth.
to the growth of clover and the permanent
improvement of our wornout lands, can be bes
effected, by fine crops Of clover, it is all important
to the farmer, to use plaster literally and fol
the reasons advanced above, he cannot do better
than to use the Plaster freely with Guano, as wei
as after.
By the use of Guano, Clover and Plaster, in the
last four years. have restored desert of abou
800 acres to considerable degree of fertility, anC
have made money at the same time Lands tina
were before entirely Improbable to the owner
}iavc '5y single application of Guano produced
)
are now covered with as fine growth of clover
as any farmer could desire.
Truly the beneficence and wisdom of divine
Providence, are manifestly shown in the storing
up of this article for. the renovation at once, o.
the thousands and tens thousands acres ofland
naturally fertile, b, exhausted by the folly of man
The most glowing language i could use, would
but feebly portray all the benefits to the present
and future generations, to flow from the extensive
use of Guano.
Ny own experience of the action of Guano, ha
wrought the conclusion, that to produce the great
est effect even wheat, it should be plowed into
the earth, some months before the time of seeding
and of there is still greater proprety in put
ting it into the earth long before spring crops
are sown and planted, as possible they being o.
much quicker growth.
Guano is not only important element (o1
contains important elements) to the growth of grair
crops but it also dissolves humus already in the
soil, SO bringing into activity inert matter, the
greater source of carbonlc acid. This is reason
why it should always be sown broadcast
am about to commence following some poor
naked Rappahannock land for wheat, and shall
sppIy 1000 lbs. of Peruvian Guano, mixed with
100 lbs of Plaster of Paris, to each acre, imme.
<iatey before the blowing each day. This will
probably produce during the summer, great
growth of grass, to be turned in by second pillow
4ng before the wheat is sown. This mode of using
the Guano, will certainly produce much greater
fall growth of wheat, than there would be, were
to defer the application until the time of seeding
Two fields that were guanoed, the one in 1S47
the other in '49, and since covered with fine
growth of clover, plowed early in the winter, ap
plying 125 lbs. per acre, of Peruvian Guano--
From these fields l may reasonably expect yer,
superior growth of corn, to be followed by goot
wheat! Though the admirable effects Of Guanc
have not for four years been fully demonstrated ir
this country, there are many farmers, owners OF
the soil, and quite able to make the outlay, who
have not used the article at ALL only in small
quantities whilst the greatest possible benefit
would be produced by universal application Of
it to all the lands in this region There being none
SO far as my observation extends, rich as not tc
be benefited by it.
might say much more on the subject, but pro-
badly this article is long enough
F. FAIRFAX.
THE PEA-BUG.
The Bruchus Psi, or tsPea- bug,' as it is com