Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-03-12
GIIANO.

In the February number of the Soil of the
South we find some good remarks on this SUBJECT
which we take the liberty of transferring to our
columns. The subject of manures is one IN when
the people of Georgia vitaily Interested IL =
one, the successful application of which, dePeh'S
in great measure, individual enterprise anu puo-
lie prosperity. To it, the minds OF our planters
must be directed utimately-and while there are
means in reach to restore the virtues OF our SOIL
that nIanter vould show little regard for his own
welfare. or the interests of his State, who would
neolect TO avail himself of all the advantages
to be derived from the improvements and lnven-
tions of the day The editor speaking OF Its mode
of application, says: 3
" For cotton our present impressions are in ia
vor of using it in the drill as the most economical
and efficient method-one promising the largest
returns or the smallest outlay. To do thai, we
would advise the opening furrow to be deep ana
vide, in which the guano should be Stfe"eo'
and covered bv two other burrows, one on each
side forming the centre of the bed, in which the
cotton seed are to be planted. At planting time
open the top of this bed and the cotton VIII ne
planted Immediately over the manure, winch VIII
be penetrated bv the tap root, give early vigor and
growth to the plant, and be so far from the sur
face as not to be absorbed by the sun or moved
by the hoes in choppnr through the cotton. In
its application to the cotton crop there ought to be
a rrettv free admxture of Plaster of Paris, or pull
verified Charcoal. These are both good manures
for cotton, and serve to set the ammonia and pre-
vent waste in the guano.
We may very properly here remark that the IN
corporation Of one of these substances is necessary
to sc cure the full benefit of the guano IN Its apPl
cation to any of our crops. The same preparations
which we have recommended would do also for
corn, but the largest benefits would be derived to
this crop by sowing broadcast, and ploughing it
thoroughly in the ground before planting. The
difference, we suppose would be found mainly IN
the roots of the plants The cotton sends ITS lar
ger roots down into the earth, while the corn spreads
out its thousand rootlets all around, searching out
food far and near. and this general spreading OF
manure meets the demand of the plant all through
the season."
In regard to the quantity to be used and the
cost of obtaining these fertilizers, he says:
"The quantity to be used, as recommended by
different experiments varies from spoonful to the
hill, to four hundred pounds to the acre. Inc
smallest quantity used is no doubt benefit; while
the LARGEST may involve an expense making 1t I'M
practicable We are induced to think that less
than one hundred and twenty or fifty pounds to
the acre will not tell very beneiciay in its effect
upon the crop. This quantity We know by actual
experiment, will greatly increase the product OF
our lands in corn or cotton, and it IS very probable
that proportional increase would be realized by
an additional quantity How long it will last is
yet an undecided question. Its great benefit is
yielded the first year, but its value is not exhaust
ed, as we learn, in less than three years, when a
peck or more of Plaster is added to each bushel,
and the whole plowed in deep. Very fine results
have been reported from the use of a single spoon
full of the guano and plaster applied near the hill
of the corn. The mode of application and its ef-
fects will be found in the last volume of the Soil
of the South, which may be read by such may
feel disposed to try the Homeopathic doses. The
Peruvian guano costs in Baltimore, New York or
Boston about s45 per long ton, and can be deliv
cred at this point for $50, or about two and half
cents per pound The ground Plaster of Paris
will cost, delivered here, about two and half dol
lars per barrel, OF one dollar bushel."