On Peruvian guano : its history, composition and fertilizing qualities : with the best mode of its application to the soil / by J.C. Nesbit.

Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On Peruvian guano : its history, composition and fertilizing qualities : with the best mode of its application to the soil / by J.C. Nesbit. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    capital, which many, even of our intelligent farmers, have experienced from want of a due acquaintance with the pro- perties of concentrated manures. In order still further to guard against disappointment arising from the mis-application of Guano, we shall now de- scribe the best practical modes of its application to the prin- cipal crops which are grown in this country. Mode of Applying Guano to vabious Crops. TURNIPS. For this crop the Guano may be applied either by drill or broadcast. For drilling, it must first be mixed with four to six times its weight of the ashes* of wood, turf, or coal, or with the same quantity of well sifted mould. Charcoal, in powder, either from peat or wood, is also a most excellent article to be mixed with the Guano, in the proportions indicated. Its great porosity allows it to retain the volatile ammonia, and, in dry weather, to absorb considerable moisture from the air. This is of material benefit to turnips in their early growth. Before mixing, the Guano must be finely pulverized, which may easily be done with a common garden roller, upon the floor of a barn or shed, or even by blows from a common shovel. A layer of the ashes is then spread evenly upon the floor, and a quantity of the fine Guano sifted over it. This is followed by another layer of mould or ashes, and another of Guano, until the requisite quantity of both is used. The whole must then be repeatedly turned with the shovel until thoroughly mixed. It must then be again sifted, when it will be ready for use. In using Guano with the drill, care must be taken that the mixture fall below the seed, and that an inch or so of soil * Some varieties of wood ashes, wliieh contain a considerable amount of free alkali, are not suitable for mixing with Guano, as they liberate the ammonia. This may easily be shown by mixing a shovel full of the ashes with the same quantity of Guano. If a strong ammoniacal odour be immediately perceived, the ashes are not fit to be mixed with Guano.—J. C. N.
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