Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-01
Gu0nn.

We extract the following article from the pub
lished proceedings of U. S. Agricultural Socletyat
it's recent session in this city.
The subject of which it treats is one of great I'M
portance TO the industrial classes in this country
and we'll deserves the attention which it seems TO
elicit in different sections Of the Union.
Should the expectations of the American company
be realized the advantages of this new discovery OF
guano deposites will inure not alone TO agrieultu.
rsis but to those also engaged in the pursuits of
commerce and labor 1t is practically national
question There can be no good reason why the
farmers of this country should pay tribute to foreign
monopoliss for an article of prime necessity, while
our own citizens can furnish it the principles OF
free trade to all the world at less than wo-thlros lis
present cost.
We commend this subject to the attention OF our
readers D. Jay Browne, Esq OF the Patent Otlce'
submitted the following paper on guano
"This subject has become one of great interest to
the American agriculturist Under proper manage
ment it has no superior fertilizer in promoting
the growth of grain and grasses but especially is 1t
valuable to the farmer in restoring the productive
ness of exhausted soils
"The quantity of guano imported into this coun-
try by the last annual returns exceeded 900 tons
The cost of this article to the farmer has risen
TO nearly 500 ton. This high cost in some sec
tons of the country operates prohibition to its
use 1t is not right that this should be so. An
abundant supply could be furnished ny the Peruvl-
an islands for the use of the whole world, at nuCh
reduced rate II Inc aruCle was ~ JUS
rules of trade Unfortunately, however, the neces-
sites of the government of Peru have led to the
adoption of a system of management which compels
US pay heavy tribute to foreign capitalists, WHO
hold monopoly of the guano trade.
. Under the circumstances it is important to know
that recent discovery has been made of vast depos
It's of guano on an island in the Pacific, of quality
believed to be equal to the best ammoniated Peru
Wan guano The island IS under the control OF our
citizens, it having been discovered by the Captain
of an American whaling ship. The government has
deemed this subject of sufficient Importance to jus
tify an order to the commander of the Pacific squad
ron to deach one of his vessels to examine and
vey the island and lis product of guano and to pro-
| tect the owners in their territorial rights
| " A company has been formed in the city OF New
| York to manage this enterprise and an expedition
has already been sent out, the return OF which will
be looked for with little anxiety by all who feel
an interest in the question Of agriculture Should
the expectations of this company to the quantity
and quality of this guano depose be realized, they
propose TO sell it to the American farmer at the rate
of from $50 10 $40 per on, or at about tWothlrds
the present price of Peruvian guano.
" With such reduction in the cost OF an article
of prime necessity to the culYators of the soil, we
may naturally look for vast increase in the prCduc-
ton of grain and in the general Moderation OF the
economy of farming.
" The subject is of too much Importance to be
treated in q cursory notice of this kind, and is only
alluded to with the object of calling to it the at
tenon of all persons interested in the subject of ag
riCuture"
| On notion this paper ordered to be published
in the transactions of the society," whose thanks were
also rendered to Mr.. Browne. - Union.