61

I have directed this manure to a meadow as a top dressing mixed
with some Mexican Guano, and the product was increased nearly
a ton over the part unmanured.

The proper quantity per acre is about fifty pounds, which should
be reduced to the finest powder. As a top dressing to wheat it
should be applied in conjunction with common salt—about two
bushels of salt to fifty pounds of the Chili Saltpetre.

This salt contains an equal quantity of nitrogen or ammoniacal
equivalent to No. 1 Peruvian Guano, but it sells at nearly double
the price, but it is a remarkable fact, and one which is beneficial
to us, that used as a top dressing it equals, indeed exceeds in effect,
double the quantity of Peruvian Guano, so that at last it costs no
more than Peruvian Guano; very many experiments have shown
these results.

These comprise all of the manures hitherto much used for their
nitrogen. We have of late several compounds offered to the pub-
lic to supply this constituent, one of which, from the high character
and world-wide fame of its inventor, (Dr. Robert Hare,) demands
attention. It is manufactured by treating the flesh and blood of
dead animals with Sulphuric acid, and if it does no more than re-
move the effluvia and miasm produced by decaying animal matter
in our large cities, the discovery should be hailed as a blessing.
These corporations should well remunerate the distinguished in-
ventor as one who, by this means, contributes so largely to the
purification of their atmosphere and preservation of their health.
I have not had an opportunity of making an analysis of it, and
therefore cannot speak of its precise composition; from the mate-
rials employed, however, I am assured it must be a good manure:
whether it be a cheap one will depend on the price for which it is
sold.

There is another source of nitrogen lately brought to our market,
which is a guano sold under the name of Elide Guano, said to be
brought from an island in the Gulf of California, near to the Mexi-
can coast. It is a substitute for Peruvian Guano, but should only
be sold for about two thirds of the price, provided it corresponds
with the sample analyzed by Dr. Chas. Bickell in my office, which
analysis is as follows:

No. 29 Exchange Buildings, }
Baltimore, Jan. 6th, 1858. }

Report of Analysis of a Guano from California—for Wm. Norris, Esq.,
of Baltimore City.

An average sample of the above, which was taken by myself from a
lot of 5 bags, now at your warehouse, was analyzed, and found to be
composed as follows: