Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-12-26
GFrom the N. Y. Mirror.1
GU4NO-RETTER THAN COLL

! Es sGUANO-BEIIER THAN GOLD.
Science, the mechanic arts, productive labor and
solid wealth. have advanced further and faster during
the last half century than in any former period of
the worlds history. 1t would be question difficult
Of solution which event has added most to the COM
mon good of the human family the invention of the
steam engine, the subugation of electricity to the
business purposes of life, the discovery of new
and inexhaustble sources of mineral wealth.
These and hundreds of other accessories to human
progress, the achievements of little than a
generation. Of all, perhaps, there is scarcely an
event of more real and general Importance than the
discovery and application of fertlizing pro-
duction, possessing all the qualities requisite for the
renovation Of exhausted soils and the quickening of
the processes of vegetable life.
Guano was introduced into this country but a few
years since from the Islands lying the Peruvian
coast of the Pacific. The success of the experiment
speedily established, and it's in many Sec
tons of the country is now considered essential to
the production of good crops In this case the prac
teal experience of the agricuturist fully confirms
the theory of chemical science.
DIR. Ure says:
"Guano is found to contain such substances, in
such proportions, as to surpass very far all other
species of manure, whether natural artificial both
in the pcrnancncy of its action upon the roots of
plants, and also in giving immediate vgor to vege-
tation."
Professor Liebig states -
"That the importation of one hundred weight of
guano is equivalent to the importation of eight hun
dred weight of wheat; so that one hundred weight
hundred weight Of substantial food for man."
In verificaton of these theories, every farmer who
has made the experiment bears testimony to the
benefit which his lands have received from the use
of this admirable manure, and is only deferred from
increasing his yearly consumption of it by the enor
nous price at which it is sold
Hitherto all supplies of guano imported into this
country have paid three profits before they reach
the consumer. The government of Peru after i'm
posing heavy export duty, gives the entire monopo
y Of the article to English merchants, through whose
agents in this country it finds its way into the fields
of the American farmer, at cost of from fifty to
fifty five dollars per ton.
The American government, fully aware of the vast
interests connected with this question, has made
strenuous efforts for several years past, to
supply of this indispensable material directly from
the Peruvian Islands. But these efforts have thus
far, proved abortive. English capital has defeated
American diplomacy The history of years of ne
gotation on this subject may bc.found among the
published documents from the State Department of
the last session Of Congress-
In the meantime, an event has occurred which
promises TO render the farmers and agricuturiss of
this country Independent of foreign governments,
and free from diplomatic tolls
An Island has been discovered, and taken poses
sion of by American shipmaSter lying five hun
dred miles from any foreign jurisdiction, which is
believed to have upon its surface many millions of
tons of guanO of quality equal if not superior to,
that of the Chincha Islands.
The great importance of this discovery is fully ap
preciacd by the Government at Washington. The
Navy Department has promptly transmitted orders
to the Commander of the American Squadron in the
Pacific, to detail a steamer to visit the Isla:d
survey its dimensions, the extent and quality OF the
depoSte of guano which i contains, and to protect
the rghtul owners in the possession of their prop
erty. y few months will bring the tdings from this
naval expedition and the report will be looked for
with anxious socitudc by all who feel interested in
our National Agriculture.
For the prosecution of the enterprise connected |
with the discovery we have advcrted to- a company
npn in * al nd Ii
fully adequate to its successful management.
Two vessels have alreaoy been dispatched for sup
plies of the product of the mine of agricultural
wealth, and their return will form in the cal
ender of the American farmer. The company eX-
poet TO be able to furnish unlimited supplies of guano
ut Mirtyhre dollars the ton, being about twothiris
the rate paid to the English monopoly for the
same inferior article
We have deemed this a subject of sufficient i'm
Dortance to justify the of our columns at unusu-
Il length, and shall watch the progress of the
petition to the Pacific with a solicitude commensu-
ate with the vast consequences involved in its sue
;ess to our country at large.