The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-06
The GuanO Trade.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD.
Your correspondent, 8 Ammonia" in 3aturosy g
paper sh0ald not express sur prisen 6: the former
statement. Ammonia 10 corrosive poson to both
animal and vege able life. The fact is well estsb-
lisbed, and the careful reader, by consulting the
best authorities, could long ago have sscertaiued
the fact, without resOrtiDg to prsctical demon
straton his own system, or on bis equally valus
Bile wheat crop. DR.. IRE, uestipg Of amuonis
ssJs:-" An animal plunged into Il speedily diss"
(Ctem. Dictionary, page l49) The United States
Dispensary, by authority Of gil our medical soaools
the highest authority known in tbs counsry on
pure anmonia-ssys: It Is irrespirabie the
glotis closing spasmodicany when the attempt is
made 70 breathe it," page s0) Like arseaic and
other poieCns, 1t Is sometimes administered Ia small
doses; and, in extraord binary sss, when sakeo Ia
the form OF aqua ammonia, largely diluted witt wa
ter II is given to the extent Of to thirty drops
" when swallowed in an over dose, its effects are
those CT . corrosive poison," Gb., page S5O.)
Plants encounter ammonia from the Peruvian
gusno. in the form Of soluble saline compounds
mostly carbonate. Liebig says:-"It has been OBJ
served that where soil is zoo highly impregnattd
with soluble saline materials, these are separated
upon the surface Of the leaves. In consequence Of
these exudations the plant sickens ts organic ac-
tivity decreases s growth 10 disturbed and, If this
state continues long, tho plant dies- iebigs Let
ters on Chemistry, page a7.) Perhaps your CORES
pondent Ammonia" will deem no authority sups.
ior to the statements collected and published here
in pamphlet form by the agents Of tho Peruvian
government, in their efforts 70 introduce the ammo
niscal guano Of the Chincha Talsnds to our farmers
They invited statements from practical and profes
honal sericultuiists who had used the ammonisca'
guano Of Peru, and who we're presumed TO know
something about its cs1odi,g and poisonous effects
on vsgetab life. Seth Raysor, Esq., Of Manorvile,
L. lin lis httsr giving his experience with tosir
pIisd TO o hill Of corn ID quito enough, and
tbst requires 70 b pms Some six inches from tue
seec; Otherwise Is win kDl II. Some have los acres
BY putting their corn On that ials qusn,isy (rs.
timony ON this point, from pIactcal planters, vas
oveI whelminR thss the compiler Of the Peruvian
government tFeasee wns constrained to eay Of their
sSnS.: p g. S ss,s, S1
yered two or three inches deep, for toe roots will
b certain 70 ind To- and % sure they touch the
eusno, % caustc ID Il, thst viii certainly knl the
corn; The ,ame win Pas. Desns, melon vices,
There, Mr.. Editor, JON have the beat American
end European authorities for the statement am
mCnis 10 . corrosive poison 10 bOtn animal and We.
gstsble Ne. And, thoye authorities having bsen
published months and jean, IL follows that "these
facts abour ammonia and its effects on plants,
tboush hue, do (nos) announce new era In sgri
cDltu d chemistry Surely these facts could have
been Known to few careful reaters when the select
ccumtee at the last session Of Congress sndsavofed
10 regulate the susno trade, under shs erroneous
hss tDAt anmaBia wss q valuable manure, and that
the CHI cha sIande IN rsiblees district, were the
sole or principal depository Ct gusno.
Your cor efpondent Ammonia complains OF our
former stsssment, that "Dhosphase or hIoa IL tho
only valuable Ingredient in Rusno Of amy kind, and
thst the Mexican owes its value entirely to that salt,
ard the absence Of smmonia." "AmmoDiA" does
rot quote us ess60sm; bat naturally Of generous,
fos gvinR cispositiSn, We will auAwer the quotation
- y correct In spirit asd In letter.
PhstpbaAe Of line, the great un'vcsal foo6 for
plAAls, eGnAtitutss 90 pes esAt Cf the gru Weishs