Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-01-04
GUANO.-WHAT is 1T?

The word glGH0 Orrat ner hudn0, belongs 10
the Quichua or Indian language of Peru
When the Spaniards discovered that country
about three and half centuries ago, they
found it extensively and 'intelligibly 'cultiva.
ted. AS it never rains on the coast of Peru,
irrigation has always been necessary, and the
character and magnitude Of the works con-
structed by the indians to water their lands
we're matters of surprise and comment to the
Spanish invaders. They were also amazed at
the size and variety of the crops produced,
and found that the natives used freely Pc
culiar natural fertilizer, which they called
"huano." They learned that the Transports
tation of this substance from the islands where
it occurred in immense deposits, gave employ
ment to large number Of men, and many
small vessels. ....>. {
One of the Spanish historians of that day
SAYS: "The effect of this substance they call
huano' is truly wonderful to behold, a small
quantity making the land to yield hundred
fold. This material was no other than what
is now known in this country as Peruvisn
guano, and its use in Peru, at least dates from
a very remote period, and to this day no other
manure is employed; and Observation-Disclosures
land has been under cultivation for centuries,
there is still no dimunition in the yield, and
the production of sugar cane, tobacco, cotton,
corn, wine, &C., is enormous, and may safely
bear comparison with that of the most fertile
regions Of the globe. ...
From these facts, it would seem that the
idea prevalent among some farmers, that
guano Injuries the landsis certainly as;fallacy,
at least so far as Peru is concerned, for if it
had bad effects on the soil it would surely be
noticed everywhere il, that country, 3:
But returning to the word "guano"
Webster and Worcester define it as a Instance
found on certain islands, chiefly on the coast
of South America and Africa consisting OF
the excrements of birds and characterized By
large per centage Of urate Of ammonia and
other amn,oniacal salts. - ,-y,-,,r,
The name "guano" has, however, been! ap-
piled, unjustly to great many natural and
artificial compounds sold as fertilizers, but
devoid wholly, or in part, of the characters
tics Of genuine guano. Phosphate of lime,
mixtures of bone black, fish or meat scrap,
etc., are frequently offered as guano. How
great soever their peculiar advantages may
be, it is misappropriation ofthe name to call
them guanos, and likely to mislead the pur.
chaser. .,......,-,
1t is true that there exists peculiar phos.
phate rock which once suas guano, but having
been exposed to the rains of centuries, is thor
ouqhly leached, and contains not trace of the
soluble ammoniacal salts it once possessed, and
no longer retains the valuable fertilizing prop.
critics of Peruvian guano. Such are the
Sombrero, Bakers Island, and other so.called
guanos.
These are the residua from the excreta OF
birds, yet the action of water has so altered
their properties, that they are no longer gu.
amos. Similarity Of origin is by no means a
guarantee that two substances are one and
the same, and as before said, under the term
guano should be embraced only such natural
fertilizers as retain all the urate of ammonia
and other soluble ammoniacal salts. which
the Peruvian guano possesses. 4 s''.' 20 =
| A still more improper use Of the name
"guano" is made by the manufacturers of ar
tifcial fertilizers, who designate their products
by the term guano, qualified perhaps by some
adjective, but all of which need to be com.
posted to give anything like the same results
as even the raw Peruvian guano. Hence, it
is clear that the only article which is sold in
this country that should bear the name Of
guano, IS that imported from Peru, and clear
understanding of this fact will save our farm
ers much disappointment and expense. Cour'
try Gentleman. .: ....