Guano
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Solon Robinson >> Guano
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No one can doubt the true statement of this report, which proves $7 50.
worth of guano equal to 20 tons of manure--reducing the worth of that
to one shilling and sixpence--about 34 cents--per ton, or one dollar a
cord. Now, as manure is often estimated in this country by the cord, and
valued at about $4, and applied at the rate of 6 cords per acre, it
follows that a saving of $14 50 per acre may be made by using 250 lbs.
of guano instead of purchasing the manure. This Yorkshire experiment
exactly corresponds with those made in this country, some of which we
have detailed, and which proves that a farmer cannot buy manure at the
common selling prices; and if he hauls his own the distance of a mile,
he will expend more value of time, than it is worth to him on the land;
because the same value of time--"time is money"--expended for guano,
will bring him better returns. In this, as before stated, we are
confirmed by Professor Mapes; and here is the opinion of Mr. Hovey of
Boston, the eminent horticulturist, which we find in the August No. of
his magazine, as follows--
"If, after such evidence as this, farmers will continue to buy ashes at
eight cents a bushel, or manure at three to six dollars a cord,
including carting, and use them alone, then let them do so, but they
should not complain that their crop cost more than it comes to. To
orchardists and fruit growers, this information is of the greatest
value, and we trust they will not let it pass unheeded."
This opinion is valuable because it has been stoutly asserted, that
however well guano might answer at the South, it was of no use in the
hard soil and cold climate of New England. This is a fallacy which will
soon be cured by knowledge, and self-interest is a very strong prompter
towards the acquisition of the knowledge, that guano is the best,
cheapest, most suitable, convenient and productive manure ever used by a
New England farmer, and just as suitable for that climate and soil as it
is for Virginia. We assert, without fear of successful contradiction,
that there is not a farm--not a field--covered with five-finger vines
and mullens, in the State of Massachusetts, which may not be made to
produce as profitable crops, by the use of guano, as any Connecticut
river farm. Farmers are about the hardest class of men in the world to
learn new doctrines; or that science has anything to do with the
business of this life, and what all other life in a civilized country is
dependent upon. Yet science teaches, by unerring truths, that the plants
the farmer cultivates, are composed of carbon, obtained by plants
chiefly from the soil and atmosphere; oxygen and hydrogen, obtained by
plants chiefly from water, carbonic acid, &c.; nitrogen obtained by
plants chiefly from manure, and also from rain and snow; silicium, in
combination with oxygen, called _silicia_ or sand; lime in combination
with phosphoric and other acids; potash and soda in combination with
acids; magnesia, in combination with acids, and various oxides of
metals, the presence of which, however, is not very important, as they
exist in an exceedingly small quantity. And that guano is composed of
ammonia (formed of nitrogen and hydrogen,) combined with carbonic,
oxalic, phosphoric, and other acids; lime, combined with phosphoric
oxalic, and other acids; potash and soda, combined with muriatic and
sulphuric acids; magnesia, combined with phosphoric and other acids;
animal organic matter, containing carbon, and also nitrogen.
Now, is it not enough to prove that all the ingredients, with the
exception of the metallic oxides, exist in guano, which are required by
the plants grown for the sustenance of man.
Putting guano into the soil, therefore, as a manure, is clearly
restoring to the earth those substances which plants abstract from it,
and which are absolutely necessary for their growth.
The questions, then, which the farmer should now ask are, "which is best
for me to buy, guano or coarse manure?" The evidence just given answers
that question. "I have manure, teams, and men to haul it; my fields are
from one to three miles distant, is it economy for me to let my teams
lay idle and buy guano?" By no means. But you can probably employ men
and teams in other improvements to much better advantage. With your
manure make all your home lots exceedingly rich. With your men and teams
clear off stones, dig ditches to put them into, drain your land, or
build fence--bring bog meadows and swamps into dry cultivation--send
every little brook through artificial channels for irrigation--send
water up from lowland springs and streams by hydraulic rams for the same
purpose, and for stock on the hills; or bring it down from hillsides if
you are so situated; and buy guano for those distant fields, instead of
wasting time in the laborious operation of hauling manure. Those who use
guano, are enabled by the saving of time, to say nothing of their
increased profits, to make improvements which are utterly impossible to
accomplish under the old system.
_How to choose Guano._--As we are satisfied no sensible reader can have
perused the preceding pages, without having come to the determination to
make a trial for himself, we will give him some general instructions
about buying guano.
In the first place, we lay it down as an incontrovertible axiom, that
the Peruvian guano, at the current price for years of that and all
other, is the cheapest and best, because it contains the largest amount
of ammonia, in a perfectly dry state; as a carbonate, true, but because
dry, it is permanent and not likely to loose by volatilization by long
keeping.
If other varieties contain a larger proportion of phosphates, and are
sold at a less price, experience proves they are not cheaper. If an
additional quantity of phosphates is desirable, it can be obtained in a
cheaper form from dissolved bones, or bone dust and shavings of bone
workers; or from mineral phosphates of lime. Recollect, guano under no
other name, has ever equalled the Peruvian, in the results as compared
with the quality or cost.
Therefore buy none but Peruvian. To guard against deception, be careful
of whom you buy. If you cannot buy directly from the agents, be sure the
character of your merchant is a sufficient guarantee against
adulteration.
_To test the quality of Guano._--The best test is the price. Unlike
other merchandise, this article is not subject to fluctuations. Being a
government monopoly, the price at which the agents are to sell here is
fixed in Peru, and that price may be easily known; therefore, if any
dealer offers you Peruvian guano at "a reduced price," you may be sure
the quality is reduced also. Remember, that the lowest price by the ship
load, it can be procured for of the agents in Baltimore or New York is
$46 per ton of 2240 lbs. To this, every fair, honest dealer, must add
freight, insurance and profit. Every man who sells without such
addition, you may be sure will make his profit by short weight or
adulteration.
The next best test is its appearance. Good Peruvian guano is an
impalpable powder, perfectly dry to the touch, of a uniform brownish
yellow color, with a strong smell, like that of spirits of hartshorn,
contained in ammoniacal smelling bottles. But the smell is no test; that
which smells strongest may be worst, as the ammonia may be disengaged by
moisture or by the addition of lime or salt.
_The adulteration of guano_ is carried to a great extent in England, and
probably will be in this country. The principal adulterations are made
by the addition of loam, marl, sand, plaster, old lime, ashes, chalk,
salt, moisture, and by mixture with other guano of a cheaper quality.
The farmer need not depend upon the assertion, "this is a genuine
article--here is the inspector's certificate." We would not give a straw
for a corn basket full of certificates of analysis. The buyer must
analyse for himself. Mr. Nesbit, analytical chemist, London, has just
published a pamphlet from which we have condensed some very plain,
short, simple rules for testing the quality of guano. As the
adulterating substances are generally heavier than the guano, they may
be detected by a comparison of weight and measure. To do this, get a
small glass tube closed at one end, and weigh accurately an ounce of
pure guano, put it in the tube and carefully mark the hight it
fills--try several samples--if there is any difference, mark it. Now
weigh an ounce from a sample adulterated with one fourth its bulk of any
or all the preceding list of articles used for that purpose, and you
will find the difference of bulk between that and the genuine, very
perceptible.
_Test by Burning._--Guano burnt to ashes at a red heat will leave an ash
of a pearly white appearance, not varying in weight from 30 to 35 per
cent. of the quantity burnt. If it is adulterated with marl, sand, clay,
&c., the ash will be about 60 or 65 per cent, of the weight tested, and
be colored with the iron always present in the adulterating substances,
and which is never found in pure guano. This test, to be accurate, must
be done with a nice pair of scales and a platinum cup, which may be
heated over a spirit lamp. Ten grains of the guano are placed in the
platinum cup, which is held by the tongs in the flame of the spirit lamp
for several minutes, until the greater part of the organic matter is
burnt away. It is allowed to cool for a short time, and a few drops of a
strong solution of nitrate of ammonia added, to assist in consuming the
carbon in the residue. The cup is again heated, (taking care to prevent
its boiling over, or losing any of the ash,) until the moisture is quite
evaporated. A full red heat must then be given it, when, if the guano be
pure, the ash will be pearly white, and will not exceed 3-1/2 grains in
weight. If adulterated with sand, marl, &c., the ash will always be
colored, and will weigh more than 3-1/2 grains. Even the simple burning
of a few grains of guano, on a red hot shovel, will often indicate by
the color whether a fraud has been committed; but we cannot particularly
recommend this method, as the iron of the shovel itself will sometimes
give a tinge to the ash. This might be obviated by burning the sample on
a common earthen plate.
If the adulteration of guano has been made by sand, it can be detected
by dissolving the ashes in muriatic acid. The sand will remain--if it is
more than one per cent., it has probably been added fraudulently. As
iron exists in loam, it will show in the color of the ash if that is the
substance used for adulteration. If lime has been added, it can be
detected by dissolving the ash in muriatic acid and separating the sand,
loam and iron, if present, by filtration, and then adding oxalate of
ammonia to the liquid. If it shows more than a mere trace of lime, it
has been falsified.
_Test by salt._--Saturate a quart of water and strain it; pour some in a
saucer and sprinkle guano upon the surface. Good guano sinks
immediately, leaving only a slight scum. If it has been adulterated by
any light or flocculent matters, they will be seen upon the surface of
the brine.
_Test by Acid._--Put a teaspoonful of guano in a wine glass and add a
little vinegar or dilute muriatic acid. If ground limestone or chalk
have been added, the effervessence will show it. A genuine article will
only show a few bubbles.
_Test by Water._--The following simple plan will easily detect all the
ordinary adulterations of guano. Procure a wide mouthed bottle, with
solid glass stopper; fill with water and insert the stopper; let the
exterior be well dried. In one pan of accurate scales, place the
bottle; counterpoise by shot, sand or gravel. Pour out two thirds of
the water, and put in four ounces avoirdupois of guano. Agitate the
bottle, add more water; let it rest a couple of minutes, and fill with
water, so the froth all escapes; insert the stopper, wipe dry, and
replace the bottle in the scale. Add now to the counterpoised scale, one
and a half ounces avoirdupois, and a fourpenny piece; if the bottle
prove the heavier, the guano is, in all probability, adulterated. Add in
addition a three-penny piece, and if the bottle is still heaviest the
guano is undoubtedly adulterated. By this simple experiment, a very
small amount of sand, marl, &c., is detected.
If farmers will not use some of these simple tests, or employ a chemist
to detect suspected adulteration; or if they will buy guano of men who
have no character to lose, and who offer to sell below a price to afford
them a living profit, they cannot be pitied if they are cheated.
_Prepared Guano._--Never buy anything bearing that name, unless you wish
to verify the adage of "the fool and his money are soon parted."
_Analysis of Prepared Guano._--We give an analysis of one sample of
domestic manufacture, and two British. No. 1. was offered in London and
actually sold as Peruvian guano, to farmers in the south of England;
just because they were so neglectful of their own interests as not to
inform themselves that an article sold for $35 a ton, could not be
genuine, while the regular government price remained fixed at $47. It
may readily be seen by the analysis, how they were cheated into paying
that price for an article of which 74 per cent. is plaster, and only
half of one per cent. ammonia.
No. 1. Gypsum, 74.05
Phosphate of lime, 14.05
Sand, 2.64
Moisture and loss, 9.26
------
100.00
------
Ammonia, 0.51
The other sample is still worse. This was sold as Saldana Bay guano, at
$15 to $20 a ton. It was composed of
Sand, 48.81
Phosphate of lime, 10.21
Gypsum, 5.81
Chalk, 22.73
Moisture, 12.44
------
100.00
------
Ammonia, a trace
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 analysis of an article which was sold in the city of
New York, under the name of _prepared guano_. The analysis was made by
the lately deceased, highly respected, and eminent analytic 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 analysis 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 quantity 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 analysis shown. This stuff is not
worth transporting any distance for your land. J. P. NORTON."
We will now give the analysis 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 analysis of these three kinds, for the reason,
no other of any consequence is now offered for sale in this country.
ANALYSIS 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 principal 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 assured 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 analysis just given.
They may also rest assured, and the author of this pamphlet believes his
reputation will warrant the assertion 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 illustrate
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
illustrated. 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 quantity 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 L2 to L3 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 6L to 7L a-ton, the importation with an open trade
rose to 220,000 tons. A reduction of 2L to 3L 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 shipping
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.
Undoubtedly! an increased supply, or rather an increased consumption,
would tend materially to restore, in England and in America, to build up
the landed interest, by increasing the product of the land at diminished
cost. If farmers could buy guano at lower prices, it is argued all would
use it. Undoubtedly again! Because their profits would be greater. So
great in fact, the temptation to make money out of the purchase and use
of guano few could withstand "such a chance for a speculation."
But as they cannot induce the Peruvians to let them have it at a lower
price, and as they can make money out of it at the present price, is it
not a suicidical measure upon the part of the owners of unprofitable
land, to refuse to use guano, because they cannot get it at their own
price, while they can certainly profit by its use at present prices.
_The Guano Monopoly._--Much prejudice has been excited against the
agents and principal dealers in this country by the cry of monopoly. Are
those who cry _wolf_ the loudest, entirely clear themselves, of a
fondness for fat mutton? The following extract from a letter of Edward
Stabler of Maryland, gives a more fair, impartial view of the subject.
He says; "Odious and grinding as monopolies usually become, and hard as
this one seems to bear upon the agriculturist's interests, it still
appears to be about as fair as ordinary mercantile transactions. The
Peruvians may be considered the producers, and like our farmers and
planters, may at times require advances from the commission merchant;
and in proportion to the prices obtained, are his profits increased; nor
does any one censure the merchant for selling at the highest price he
can. Dealers, or speculators, if you please, are always censured for
raising the price of guano. Is not the same thing done every day, and
every hour in the day, by the purchase and sale of flour, wheat, corn,
and tobacco--and is not the price of almost every article of commerce
regulated in a great degree by the supply and demand? Most certainly;
and so long as there is a probability of profit by the purchase and sale
of this article, and just so long, and no longer, will the 'trade in
second hands' continue. If the present supply is inadequate to the
demand, by an almost undeviating rule in commerce, the price is
enhanced, until at a point to drive the consumer from the market. This
however, is not quite so soon attained with guano, under the present
excitement, as with many other things. I have viewed this matter in a
different light from some others, though erroneous as some may suppose,
and do not think that censuring the dealers will cover the true ground
of complaint, or at all tend to remove the existing difficulty. Their
agency is, if I may use the term--but in no offensive sense--a kind of
necessary evil; for the importer will not retail, and it suits but few
of the consumers comparatively, to club together, and purchase in large
quantities. The price of guano is owing mainly, if not entirely, to this
monopoly in the import trade; and it would be the same thing, and a
monopoly still, whether in the hands of English or American merchants;
with also, about the same amount of liberality to be looked for, from
one as from the other."
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