The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-05
farm aud Garden.
Commercial Northumberland

1t Is mostly kept tor nome conSumPtlon
in Peru 1t generally contains about 3
per cent of ammonia, Is per cent of phos-
phoric acid, and 2 per cent of potash, and
sold last season at $38 per ton. Hobson,
Hurtado & Co., charge for it by the per-
centages contained, viz: for ammonia,
173 cents; phosphoric acid, 8 cents; and
potash, u per pound, the ton being q
900 pounds.
In using the guanos and other fer
tilizers, they must be selected with refer
ence to the wants of the crop and the
soil as far as can be known The wants
of the soil can best be known by expert
ment with different fertilizers, and some
general considerations. We may say
here that analysis of soils has greatly
disappointed public expectation, and can
not be much relied on, We may ex-
plain the difficulties in this respect here
after. The general considerations referred
to are the character and condition of the
soil with its Accomplishments. Thus
good clay or chocolate soil does not re-
quire much potash; worn, light soils do
require it. Fresh land does not require
much. Land with much vegetable mat
ter, or with clover or pea fallows, can do
phosphoric acid AS to crops, some init
nation has been given as to their wants
Tobacco requires moderate amount of
phosphoric acid and good supply of
nitrogen and potash Wheat and corn
require liberal quantity of nitrogen and
phosphoric acid, and are always much
benefited by potash, particularly corn.
Beside tobacco, potatoes, clover, beans,
&c, are very sensitive to the want of pot
ash in the SOIL Glover, peas, lucerne, and
pod-bearing plants generally, will do
with little ammonia, and Peruvian guano
No. may be used advantageously for
these crops. We think confusion has
been produced by multiplying the names
OF the guanos and their sources of supply,
from what particular locality in Peru
they come, and with frequent change in
name. We have thought it well to give
the above account of the principle brands
of guano on the market at present. a
classification based on the relative pro-
portion of nitrogen and phosphoric acid,
with simple names for each class, would
be better and more ineligible to the
farmer. Three standards might be formed
and be maintained at the same thing by
mixing the different cargoes to suit the
adopted scale. Manipulated fertilizers
are frequently called "guanos," which
should not be so named Peruvian guano
is powerful fertilizer. The only adj
vantage claimed for manipulated fertil
izers over it, is that they contain less
ammonia, and are cheaper and less heat
ing, requiring less rain for the crop.
These objections can be obviated by COM
4 ho
mould and plaster. Never mix lime or
ashes with it, as they drive off the am
monla. In its application it should al
ways be mixed with from two to four
times its bulk of sifted earth or woods
mould and plaster For the rectitfed
guano, the plaster need not be used, as
this form contains some plaster. We
think it good plan to compost it with
larger quantity of the above materials.
and to add potash where there is reason
to suspect the soil is deficient in potash
and for crops that require large amount
OF potash, as the guanos contain a small
percentage of potash. The quantity to
apply per acre will depend upon circum
stances. If we apply 200 or 300 lbs. OF
manipulated fertilizer which contains 8
per cent of ammonia, then we would ap-
ply enough guano to give us the same
amount of ammonia, if the former is sup
posed to be sufficient for the crop, and so
of phosphoric acid and potash But in
reducing the amount Of ammonia we
might get too little phosphoric acid and
potash. The advantage of composing
the guano is that we might add to the
phosphoric acid and potash if we desired
more OF these for the particular crop. If
we fear too much ammonia in the fen
per cent ammonia guano on account of its
heating quality in dry weather, we can
select that containing six per cent am
monia, as the Lobos Island, which at
the same time contains more phosphoric
acid and potash than the other brands.
The necessity of mixing these guanos with
something, arises from the fact that we
can better distribute them in the land. and
weaken it's strength in case it comes in
contact with the seed, which it might
otherwise injure. If the guano is very
dry and liable TO be blown away with
the wind this may be prevented by moist
ening the earth, &c., with which it is
mixed.
The idea has prevailed that the Peru
Wan guanos, are exhausted. This is en-
tirely mistake. The report was pro-
ba blVy