The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1867-02-08
From the Yorkvillc Enquirer.
cUANo AS A FERTILIZER.

GUANo AS A FERTILIZER.
Our farmers complain a good deal
of the poor soil and worn out condi-
ton of their lands; yet few Of them
have ever made any energetic and
continued efforts to improve them
The experience of others, however,
bothin this and other countries, proves
that old and waste lands can, by the
use of proper means, be restored to
their former vigor, and thus become
profitable to their owners. In illus
tration of this fact, we publish the
following extract of a letter from Mr.:
r. Norfeet, of Edgecombe County,
N. c., addressed to John R. London,
of Rock Hill. MIR. Norfeet is wide
ly known as one of the most enter
prising and successful farmers of the
old North State, and his experience
in the use of fertilizers may be prof.
tably studied by our people. The
ssSoluble Pacific Guano," which he
recommends, may be obtained from
John R. London, at Rock Hill, or j.
N. Robson, Charleston:
"The application Of all concentra-
ted manures is a matter of greater
Importance; than most people attach
- it. They should be distributed as
evenly as possibly, or each acre should
have its requisite amount, and every
furrow its equal share, and uniform,
or the most beneficial results cannot
be obtained. The greater portion of
our farmers use about 200 pounds per
acre, applied in the furrow or drill,
for cotton. If the burrows are 81
feet apart, which is the usual distance
given here, there will be in this case,
SO rows to the acre, consequently,
each row seventy yards long, should
have 81 pounds of Guano. Raw
hands should have this quantity
weighed out to them at first, and if
they have any tact at all, they will
soon acquire the habit of distributing
it as equally as all practicable purpo-
ses will require.
As to it's comparative value with
other measures, it certainly, from one
years use only, ranks very high, CIV
ing results fully equal in all cases to
Peruvian, and, in many, far superior.
Some of them I should not believe, if
I had not the actual knowledge of the
facts. In one, Pacific made an in
crease of 1873, while Peruvian made
but 81 per cent, the latter costing 81
per cent. more than the former. /
have used more Guano, probably, for
the number of acres worked, than any
other man in the South. In conver-
sing with farmers in regard to its use,
I make it a point to impress ON the
beginner, that one thing must be OBJ
served, and never neglected, if he
wishes to get its full benefit. Hc must
keep clean crop until 1t IS laid by,
and particularly so IN the Spring.
1t gives an impetus to grass that is
wonderful to the close observer, and
frequently, half ofits yalueis exhaust
ed by the early grass, and, therefore,
too little ofits elements are left to ma
ture the crop Of cotton-and it is in
that way the Guano is often charged
with a failure, that in truth, should
be placed elsewhere. Other fertili-
GERS are used here with success, but I
conceive they will lose caste. It re-
quires much integrity Of purpose to
Keep up the manufactured fertilizers
to the proper standard. In this one
thing, Mr.. Reese stands pre-eminent.
F have known and dealt with him for
many years, and have always found
him straight forward and honorable
gentleman. ooo
For corn, I would advise 800
pounds or even more, and always used
broadcast, as evenly as possible. |
am satisfied that two acres of land
manured with $50 pounds of ground
raw bones; will make more, or at least
A much corn, as 8 acres with the same
quantity; but this thing is somehow
or other always resisted, or nearly so
bv the farmer. He must have the