Part 7 (2/2)
It would have been dear at half the price. But why? perhaps you inquire, do you give these samples of rascality in England? Just to show you what men are capable of doing there, they will probably do here--nay, have done. Here is the a.n.a.lysis of an article which was sold in the city of New York, under the name of _prepared guano_. The a.n.a.lysis was made by the lately deceased, highly respected, and eminent a.n.a.lytic chemist, Professor Norton, of Yale College, showing the following result.
Water, 4.35
Alumina and phosphate of lime, 7.82
Organic matter, 32.58
Insoluble matter, 26.05
Carbonate of lime, 28.76
Magnesia, alkalies, and loss, 0.43 ------ 100.00
This a.n.a.lysis was made by the request of the editor of the Genesee Farmer, by whom it is not only endorsed, but proof given of its utter worthlessness upon the land where it was applied. Professor Norton made the following remarks upon the subject.
”This is indeed a _prepared_ article. You will observe that three tenths of the whole are water, or matter insoluble in acid, or nothing more than water and sand. More than another three tenths is organic matter; this contains scarcely a trace of ammonia or nitrogen in any form, being worth no more than common muck from a swamp. Thus we have six tenths of the guano made up of a mixture that as a gift, would not be worth carting. Nearly another three tenths is carbonate of lime, a valuable article it is true, but one which can be bought far more cheaply by the barrel, bushel or ton, than as guano. The remaining tenth contains a small quant.i.ty of phosphates, but not enough to make the mixture of much value. The parties engaged in this manufacture, should be widely exposed, for it is one of the most outrageous impositions I have ever known. Farmers should avoid everything of this nature unless it is certified to be equal to a copy of a.n.a.lysis shown. This stuff is not worth transporting any distance for your land. J. P. NORTON.”
We will now give the a.n.a.lysis of Peruvian, Patagonian, and Chilian guano, as determined by Dr. Anderson, chemist of the Royal Agricultural Society of Scotland, to be a fair average deduced, from a careful examination of many samples. The same results have been obtained in this country by such eminent chemists as Professor Norton, Dr. Antisell, and Dr. Higgins. We only give a.n.a.lysis of these three kinds, for the reason, no other of any consequence is now offered for sale in this country.
a.n.a.lYSIS OF GUANO.
Peruvian. Chilian Chilian Patagonian Fine. Inferior.
Water, 13.73 6.06 15.09 24.86 Organic matter and} 53.16 54.51 12.88 18.86 ammonical salts, } Phosphates 23.48 11.96 16.44 41.37 Lime, ---- 1.37 8.93 2.94 Sulphuric acid, ---- ---- ---- 2.21 Alkaline salts, 7.97 10.25 6.04 2.70 Sand, 1.66 15.85 40.62 7.56 ------- ------- ------- ------- 100,000 100,000 100,000 100,000 Ammonia, 17.00 18.80 2.11 2.69
It will readily be seen there is a vast difference in the value of the Chilian, and though not stated, there is as great a difference in the Patagonian, while that from Peru, owing to the fact that it never rains upon the depository, is of a uniform quality. As the princ.i.p.al value of guano consists of the ammonia and phosphates, it is easily calculated.
17 per cent. of ammonia is equal to 340 lbs. in a ton of 2,000 at 12-1/2 cents, $42.50
23.48 per cent. of phosphates is equal to 470 lbs.
in a ton at 1-1/2 cents, 7.05
Alkaline salts, 5.00 ______ Value of a ton of Peruvian guano, $54.55
To this may be added the advantage of having these valuable substances in the best possible condition, so finely pulverized they are ready prepared for the use of plants.
It may be taken as an incontrovertible fact then, that guano is a cheap and good manure for any land and any crop which would be benefitted by the best quality of farm yard manure and ground bones. It is most beneficial on poor sandy loam, absolutely unproductive; and most profitable when applied to any land which cannot be otherwise manured on account of distance and transportation of grosser articles. The better the land is kept in tilth, the better will be the effect of an application of guano. The public may also be a.s.sured of another fact; if the guano is bought direct from the agents of the Peruvian government in this country, or of reliable merchants, who get their supplies direct from them, it will be of a uniform quality and value, as indicated by the a.n.a.lysis just given.
They may also rest a.s.sured, and the author of this pamphlet believes his reputation will warrant the a.s.sertion and belief, that he could not be hired to puff an unworthy article, or write a book to induce American farmers, to purchase an article which would not prove highly beneficial to their best interests.
The author does know that the introduction of guano into this country is a blessing to the nation. Its general use will not only increase the wealth of individuals, but that of the body politic. Let us ill.u.s.trate this point by a statement of an English writer of its advantages to that country. He says--”The importance of this question may be easily ill.u.s.trated. We grow in this country about 4,000,000 acres of wheat annually. An application of two hundred weight of guano to each acre would increase the produce by six bushels, or raise the average of England from 26 to 32 bushels an acre, giving a total increase to our home produce of 3,000,000 quarters of wheat, which is of itself equivalent to a larger sum than the whole diminution of rent stated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have been occasioned by free trade in corn. But this is only one use to which guano would be applied, for its effects are even more valuable to green crops than to corn.”
The proportionate advantage to this country would be almost inconceivably greater as our average product is far less, and the increased number of bushels per acre, far more; the produce of land as stated by Mr. Newton and others, having been raised from 3 to 15 or 20 bushels per acre.
The estimation in which it is held by some of the best farmers in the world may be judged by the increased demand in England.
The quant.i.ty of Peruvian guano annually imported has risen from 22,000 tons in 1846 to 95,000 tons in 1850, but has increased during the last year to about 200,000 tons. If the price were reduced by 2 to 3 a ton, even the present large supply would be found greatly short of the increased demand. In a single season, in 1845, when the price of Ichaboe guano ranged from 6 to 7 a-ton, the importation with an open trade rose to 220,000 tons. A reduction of 2 to 3 a ton would be followed by an extraordinarily increased consumption. Twice the present importation might be taken advantageously for the wheat crops alone. It seems to be held by the Government that the right of Peru to the Lobos Islands is unquestionable. It is, in that case, only by friendly negotiation that anything can be done. Considerations should be pressed on the present Ministry, pledged as they are to promote the landed and s.h.i.+pping interests. If they can persuade the Peruvian Government, by friendly negotiation, that the interests of that country as well as ours will be benefited by opening the guano trade, they will confer an important service on this country; a full supply would contribute materially to restore the prosperity of the landed interest by increasing their produce at diminished cost; and it would give regular employment to about one-tenth of the whole mercantile navy of England.
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