Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1868-01-16

Iotal........-.. $9S. ID
EXPENSES.
1866. Fertilizers, cultivation,
&c..................,...... $23.O Oh
1867. Corn cultiyation............ 100
Expense on former crop......... 1925
Total ............................ $702S
Gain. S2S 10
Above have reported six acres. There
were no others in the experiments. No. 6.
was Mapes' Phosphate, there being two
acres of the same, 1t is thrown out of the re-
port. No. was Reeses' Manipulated Gu
ano The Manufacture of this article hav-
ing ceased, and there being none in the
market, though it is amcng the best, it is
useless TO report II. No. s. was Pacific Gu
ano. That also being out of the market it is
useless to report. No. 0. was chemicals,
viz: bone dust, potash, nitrate OF soda, sui
peate of ammonia, &c, but 1t failing to pay,
was abandoned after the second trial. No.
IL. and ~. were Peruvian Guano, there
being three acres on different parts of the
plot, all treated alike, so as to see whether
there was any difference in the land, but the
gathering of the crop showed no pcrceptible
difference, consequently but one acre of
Peruvian is reported, that being the best, il
any difference.
Peruvian guano is No. l. on the plot, and
was 80 opinionated in it Gf may use the
expression) when commenced experiment
ing, that expected 1t to be No l, in sum-
ming up the profits. But, to my gratifica-
ton, it is the lowest but one. am
gratified that have been enabled to demon
strate in these experiments, that we are not
entirely dependent upon the Peruvian Gov
eminent, or its agents, for fertilizer to en-
rich our land. Though l have no doubt
that most Of the super phosphatcs are mainly
indebted to that article for their active ele-
ments, without which they would not give
satisfaction as dressing for wheat, as the
young wheat plants cannot wait for the
slow action of fertilizer of purely phos-
phatic character, unless there be ammonia
in the soil already furnised by the decompo-
sition Of organic elements In the soil which
is not the case with most Of the worn out
land in the lower part of this county and
State. This was shown in a former report
on most Of the super phosphates, but more
especially by comparison between No. 8.
and No. 10. The former was dressed with
Sombrero guano, which is destitute of am
monia or organic matter from which it
might be formed in the SOIL The latter
was dressed with bone dust and Peruvian
guano. The first crop of wheat on this acre
was lis bushels, while No. 3. gave but s
bushels. But the next crop of wheat changes
the figures, No. 8, gives u bushels while
No 10 gives but loi. This result is brought
about by the decomposition Of clover in the
soil. The sombrero guano being cheaper
than the other articles, got heavier dress
ing for the same money, and by slowly dis
solving in the soil produced heavy growth
OF clover. This combined with the phos
plate, furnished the wheat plant with all
the organic and inorganic elements neces-
sary to its growth. Had the season been
such as 1858 there would have been over 90
bushels on this acre, This demonstrates
that when we get a good crop of clover we
may get fair crop of wheat without fertil-
izers. Nevertheless, think it advisable to
use fertilizers on wheat, even on good land
when they are sold at reasonable prices, for
it will pay. The corn crop is heavy feed
er, and if we continue to take off without
putting on, our land will deteriorate as did
our fathers before us, to whom fertilizers
were unknown.
These experiments were conducted by tn,
owner of the land and only show how til,
case would stand when the land is cultivated
by the owner. But as there are sometime
two parties to this matter, it may be well t,
state the case between landlord aud tenant
to do this we will take No. 4, Baugh's phos
phate, which is about an average, ncithe
the highest nor lowest. First giving the out
lay of landlord.
1850. One half cost of fertilizers q
lo6z ditto. ditto. ....... 40
1850. ditto ditto. (high-
er in price. 60
! $40
Proceeds of sales.
Two-fifths of which would be...... .S34. l.
From which deduct outlay. 1910
$l5.l
| Ff-t
! This leaves fifteen dollars per acre to land
lord, which is over per cent. on capital d
1872 per acre. This is not equal to 3. EOS,
) s., but land is sure thing, not likely t
} depreciate greatly, let who may be Pres
} dent, and furthermore, a great deal bette
results may be attained with favorable ses
sons and good management, each year il
creasing in fertility.
The above is true and faithful report s
far as can give it, without favor or partis
ity to any one. | have given the experiment
all the attention could possibly devote /
them, by seeing each fertilizer applied to il
, appropriate place, and seeing the croI
, gathered and measured.
' AS this may be, and most likely will |
G the last that my name will be used in Ill
e connection, will say that my mind has vi
e dergone change in regard to the relati,
! merits of Peruvian guano and genuir
8 super phosphate. In my first cxperimel
D | believed, and so said, that sup
} phosphate would not pay on our lam
n First crops SO indicated. But an hone
o man will Qhough not always pleasantly a
knowledge his errors when convinced.
am now satisfied that a good super pho
J plate will pay better on a series of GRO
than Peruvian guano, and will leave Il
land more permanently improved D
home farm was as poor when bought it
the land on which these experiments we
conducted. 1t is now good for from 60 to
bushels of corn per acre of good season.
have never bought load of coarse manu-
for the farm lime and other concentrat
fertilizers are entitled to the credit, but
: Peruvian guano and super phosphate mt
than anything else. have used lime sp;
n ipuIx,, In, =