The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-11

the weed, which proves to greater or less extent
detrimental to the yield of saleabie product. The
cause of this defect is unquestionably due to the
excess of animal matter and ammonia, in the
Tor result analogous thereto: superinduces an
excessive vegetable growth, while on the other
hand the supp of Phosphate of Lime is made.
ouate to sustain the vegetable growth and furnish
the supply needed to develop the fruit.
Secondly, If drought intervene after Peruvian
Guano is applied, it is noticed that however well
the crop may have started, ts growth is suspended
the crop fires,p and if the drought be prolonged
the investment proves comparative, if not total
loss.
This defect is the result of two causes: First,
The excess Of nitrogen or ammonia IN the Guano
supernduces the development of an unnatural
quantity Of sap and Juices in the psnt the inter.
vention of drought prevents the decomposition OF
the Guano by reason of the absence OF sufficient
sap, and consequently the plant rapidly fails;
result analogous to that produced in the human
system by the sudden suspension Of stimulants.
The second cause is found in the fact that nearly
all the Phosphate found in Peruvian Guano exists
simply as neutral or bone phosphate, which is not
Immediately soluble, but is converted into soluble
phosphate during the process OF the decomposl'
tion Of the Grano. Ample moisture is a necessary
condition to this result hence the absence OF sutl.
cient moisture in consequence of drought prevents
the conversion into soluble form, and the plant
cannot take up the undissolved phosphate.
Thirdly, It is almost universally conceded, espe-
cialIy by those who have continued the use OF Peru.
vian Guano through period Of years. that its
effect is to diminish the productive power Of the
soil. This result has been so manifest in those
parts of the country where it was FIRST introduced
that it has fallen almost into dsuse. In Maryland
not ne.tenth of the quantity is now consumed
that formerly was. We hold it capable of q ration.
al demonstration, that the continued use Of Peru.
Wan Guano for period of 10 years, in quantity
as usually applied must result in runous depre'
citation to any ordinary soil. Certainly this IS
material defect. It's cause is found in the tact
that the only element in Peruvian Guano IT. that
can contribute to permanent improvements Phos'
pl.ate of Lime. Of this element it contains the
small quantity of Is per cent. hence, in an ordl.
nary application Of the Guano, the soil does not
receive supply equivalent to the loss sustained IN
the production of the crop removed, and the lnev'
table result is depreciation, which becomes mani.
fest after continued use. Improvement can only
be had by the application Of larger quantity than
is removed; this cannot be done by the use OF
Peruvian Guauu, without the useless, injurious and
eztrapagant waste Of ammonia. :
That the foregoing results, noticed in the use OF
Peruvian Guano constitute important defects, IS
manifestly true. That they are due to the causes
named does not admit of rational doubt.
THESE DEFECTS DO NOT EXIST IN SOLU.
BILE PACIFIC =GUANO.