Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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DAILY NEWS-Supplement CHAELESTON, S. C. JOHN S. REESE & CO., Sole General Agents for the Company. Baltimore. Md. J. 3ST. ROBSON, Selling Agent, CHARLESTON, S. 6. Norn.-Every pacfeageof this Guano lsbrandedvrith the Clime of JOHN S. KKESE & Co. ?Jone other genuine. INTRODUCTION. Under the present labour system of the South, it is the manifest policy of planters to make every acre put under cultivation produce its maximum yield of saleable product. The labour employed must be made to yield the highest possible results. One acre can be made to produce, by the liberal use of concentrated fertilizers and high culture, as much cotton and corn, with less than one-half the labour, as three acres without these appliances. This result has been repeatedly obtained, and is thoroughly practical. The availability of a fer? tilizer combining the qualities of the greatest activity with those of permanently benefiting the soil, ia of the utmost importance to this end. The Guano treated of in this Supplement is so highly commended after practical use by many of our planters, that it must prove an object of the highest interest to our agricultural readers. The subject is susceptible of most interesting consideration, and should receive that attention which its importance demands. SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO. Its composition compared with Peruvian Guano. The reasons why it is a better fertilizer for the culture of COTTON, CORN and TOBACCO. Its im? portance as conducing to permanent improvement of soils. Its economy. The composition and character of this Guano is identical with that of Peruvian Guano. It con? tains the same elements, and is of the same ulti? mate origin. It differs from Peruvian simply in the proportions in which the same elements of fer? tility exist to each other. That this difference constitutes it a fertilizer better adapted to the culture of cotton, corn and tobacco than Peruvian Guano, we think will be made manifest by the following considerations : All who have given the subject attention know that animal matter yielding Ammonia, Soluble Phosphate, and Bone Phosphate of Lime, are the substances or elements which constitute the value of Peruvian Guano, and all commercial fertilizers. This is a matter of neither doubt or uncertainty, but of fact. Hence, as the results of chemical I analysis, by competent chemists, are definite and certain, there is no difficulty in arriving at the J actual value of any fertilizer bronght into market. The same results must follow from the same agen? cies found in any other Guano, with modifications | arising from different proportions of the elements. Knowing, therefore, both the excellencies and j defects of Peruvian Guano, arising from the qnan ity and proportions of its elements, we have a I basis of tacts from which deductions may be made, | as to the causes of certain known results. COMPOSITION OP SOLUBLE PACIFIC GUANO. The following is the composition of this Gaano ; the proportions and quantities of the elements here given being the average of 16 cargoes consigned to this Agency and discharged at Baltimore, taken from authentic inspection reports of Doctors Pig got and Liebig, analytic chemists : Nitrogenous animal matter.S6JC per cent Yielding ammonia.3.S3 Phosphate of Lime ?.-?.Me.15.68 .* .. Bone Phosphate of lime.24.62 " ? Incombustible matter and moisture.23.60 " " The following is the composition of Peruvian j Guano, taken from official inspection reports in this market : Nitrogenous animal matter.SS to GO per cent. Yielding ammonia... .12 to is per cent. Bone Phosphate of Lime..28 " SS " " Incombustible matter and moisture.17 " li " ?. A part of the phosphoric acid in Peruvian Guano stated as phosphate of lime exists as phosphate of ammonia, ana is soluble, but the quantity so exist? ing is small. It will be seen by a comparison, that while Sol. Pacific Guano contains less animal matter and am? monia than Peruvian, it contains in all nearly double the quantity of Phosphate of Lime ; and that considerably more than one-third of the whole exists in a form immediately soluble. Now the practical question is, does this propor? tion of the same elements constitute it a better fertilizer than Peruvian Guano. An answer to this important inquiry can best be given by calling attention to the defects, manifested in the nse of Peruvian Guano, and considering the causes from which they arise. THE DEFECTS OF PERUVIAN GUANO AND THEIR CAUSES. Every planter who has applied Peru-nan Guano for more than one or two seasons has noticed: First, That if the season prove favorable (or sca? lable) the tendency is to an excessive growth of the weed, ?which proves to greater or less extent detrimental to the yield of saleable product. The canse of this defect is unquestionably due to the excess of animal matter and ammonia, in the Guano, which from its highly stimulating effect, (or a result analogous thereto.) superinduces an excessive vegetable growth, while on the other hand the supply of Phosphate of Lime is inade? quate ta sustain th?, vegetable growth and furnish the supply needed to develop the fruit. Secondly, If drought intervene after Peruvian Guano is applied, it is noticed that however well the crop may have started, its growth is suspended ; the crop "fires," and if the drought be prolonged the investment proves a comparative, if not total loss. This defect is the result of two causes : First, The excess of nitrogen or ammonia in the Guano superinduces the development of an unnatural quantity of sap and juices in the plant ; the inter? vention of drought prevents the decomposition of the Guano by reason of the absence of sufficient moisture, which suddenly cuts off the supply of sap, and consequently the plant rapidly fails ; a result analogous to that produced in the human system by the sudden suspension of stimulants. The second cause is found in the fact that nearly all the Phosphate found in Peruvian Guano exists simply as neutral or bone phosphate, which is not immediately soluble, but is converted into soluble phosphate during the process of the decomposi? tion of the Guano. Ample moisture is a necessary condition to this result, hence the absence of suffi? cient moisture in consequence of drought prevents the conversion into soluble form, and the plant cannot take up the undissolved phosphate. Thirdly, It is almost universally conceded, espe? cially by those who have continued the use of Peru? vian Guano through a period of years, that its effect is to diminish the productive power of the soil. This result has been so manifest in those parts of the country where it was first introduced that it has fallen almost into disuse. In Maryland not one-tenth of the quantity is now consumed that formerly was. We hold it capable of a ration? al demonstration, that the continued use of Peru? vian Guano for a period of 16 years, in quantity as usually applied, must result m ruinous depre? ciation to any ordinary soil. Certainly this is a material defect. Its cause is found in the fact that the only element in Peruvian Guano that can contribute to permanent improvement is Phos? phate of Lime. Of this element it contains the small quantity of 25 per cent.; hence, in an ordi? nary application of the Guano, the soil does not receive a supply equivalent to the loss sustained in the production of the crop removed, and the inev? itable result is depreciation, which becomes mani? fest after continued use. Improvement can only be had by the application of a larger quantity than is removed ; this cannot be done by the use of Peruvian Guano, without the useless, injurious and extravagant waste of ammonia. That the foregoing results, noticed in the use of Peruvian Guano, constitute important defects, is manifestly true. That they are due to the causes named does not admit of a rational doubt. THESE DEFECTS DO NOT EXIST IN SOLU? BLE PACIFIC GUANO. First, This Guano contains about one-fourth the quantity of ammonia found in Peruvian ; hence I the effects arising from an excess of that element are not manifested in its use. That this quantity of ammonia, accompanied with ready formed solu? ble Phosphate of Lime, manifests equal effects in the early stages of the crop is demonstrated by ex? perience.* Secondly, The quantity of Phosphate of Lime in this Guano is nearly double that found in Peruvian, I hence it supplies the soil with a quantity greater than is removed by the crops, and thus necessarily enhances its productive power. Thirdly, More than one-third of its large quan? tity of Phosphate of Lime exists as ready formed soluble phosphate, hence ils action is not contingent to near the same extent as Peruvian, upon the presence of moisture j therefore, in the event of drought, crops fertilized with it continue their growth, and do not fire and fail as when fertilized with Peruvian. That its effects are modified by protracted drought is true, but not to one-fourth the extent as is the case with Peruvian Guano. Fourthly, For purposes of rapid improvement it may be applied in large quantities without loss or detriment arising from waste of ammonia. If the use of Pacific Guano confirms the deduc? tions made, then we have a demonstration that the defects of Peruvian Guano arise from the causes named, and farther, that this Guano is a fertilizer of greater real value to the agriculture of the coun? try than Peruvian Guano. Pacific Guano was used on the last cotton, corn and tobacco crops in all the Southern States, with results fully and entirely sustaining our deductions. The testimony of planters from all parts of the South must be accepted as conclusive evidence as to the fact. We and onr Agents are prepared to furnish an array of concurrent testimony on this point that must convince all ?ho can be convinced of any fact by haman testimony.* Another fact of material importance in relation to this Guano is its economy. While its value is actually greater its cost is materially less, its price being from $'20 to $30 less per ton than Peruvian. The reason of this difference in price in, that it is owned and controlled by American citizens, and not by a foreign government, hence it is not subject to the same advance arising from the premium on gold. The packages of this Guano are branded with the name of John S. Reese Sc Co. None other is genuine. JOHN S. REESE & CO., GENERAL AOKBTS ron THB SOLUBLE PAOII-IO GUABO CO., Office 71 South Street, Baltimore, Md. -aa? Ot?rreep?Bd<ao> aa messt page. The following table exhibits the analysis of 10 cargoes_ Soluble Pacific Guano, the average of which _ is given as the basis of comparision with Peruvian. The original authenticated manuscripts may be seen at our Office. The cargoes do not stand in the order of their arrival. SAMES OF VESSELS. S, ?-rfc. of .a. Curso per Mary K. Amulen Carrie Melvin... " Trcndllin. " Grace Clifton ... " Oncdla. .. " Emily. Lacon. Jos. Vfalpler.... Flyaway. Clara Elwell. LneyA Orcntt.. IraLnurccicr.... Puludium. 35.99 33.02 36.0O 37.06 35.36 32.72 35.11 35.51 S8.M 31.9S 35.11 40.45 36.05 37.S3 39.71 Average 16 cargoes. 16.40 22.93 16.63 22.11 I 16.47 23.09 I 15.04 I 26.74 I 14.00.' 23.79 17.38 , 20.85 I 14.17 22.51 15.94 21.74 17.10 26.07 15.37 25.30 12.90 28.40 15.19 28.75 14.80 28.12 15.10 24.51 17.07 24.32 Dr. Liebig. Or. PlRgot. Dr. Liebig. Pr. IlgRot. BALTIMORE, DECEMBKK, 1866. Attention is invited to the annexed statement by Dr. A. Snowden Piggot, analytic chemist, in rela? tion to the inspection of Soluble Pacific Guano, from which it will be seen that the business of this Agency is conducted on the only correct principles adapted to the prosecution of this important trade, for the protection and safety, both of the buyer and seller. JOHN S. REESE & CO., Gen'I Agents. ANALYTICAL LABORATORY, 50 GAY STREET, \ BALTIMORE. J I hereby certify that I am in the habit of inspec? ting every cargo of Soluble Pacific Guano arriving in this market consigned to John S. Reese & Co. The samples for inspection are taken by myself ] or one of my assistants, without the interference or ' presence of any one connected with the sale of the Guano. A perfectly fair representative of the lots actually offered for sale is thus obtained, since the samples are taken direct from the packages in which it is sold. The sample thus taken is inspected by actual analysis in this laboratory, and the report is based in all cases upon the results of a veritable sample of the cargo. It is only just to the agents of this valuable Guano to state that it is remarkably uniform in its quality and composition, and that recent importa? tions contain more soluble phosphoric acial than previous cargoes, and are, therefore, to that extent superior. [Signed] A. SNOWDEN PIGGOT, Analytic and Consulting Chemist. Correspondence from Edgecombe Co., . North Carolina. We invite especial attention to the following communication from Edgecombe county, N. C. The writer, Mr. Robt. Norfleet, is well known, both in his own and other States, as a most suc? cessful planter, and was for many years identified with the great agricultural improvements made in the county of Edgecombe. The system of improved culture, and the liberal use of fertilizers in that county, has rendered it famous for its large pro? ducts of cotton. The crop of Edgecombe county was increased over 400 per cent, in a period of fif? teen years, up to 1861. The same results are prac? tical throughout the South, if similar appliances are used. Tarboro, Edgecombe Co., N. C.? 1 Dec. 27th, 1866. j" MESSRS. JXO. S. REESE & Co., Baltimore. Gentlemen : Your favor asking information in re? gard to the effect of "Pacific Guano" on the cotton and corn crops of this County and the most popular ; method of its application, oame to hand a few days ago, and I have sought the first leisure moment to reply. I believe the fertilizer aboye mentioned, con? stituted two thirds; or nt all events one half of ( all the bought manures that were used here on the cotton crop of the past season, and if I may judge from the applications that have been made to me to famish it for the next, I should certainly pro? nounce it the most popular fertilizer that/has ever been introduced into this section, so proverbial for high manuring with commercial and home made materials, and large productions of cotton and corn. I was not at all surprised that the Pacific Guano made so favorable an impression on those who used it, as I was induced to believe from reading the reports of the analysis of this guano, made by the distinguished chemists of your city, Doctors Liebig and Piggot, who concurred in the opinion, that it contained in its composition, such a combination of elements in quantity and condition, as to render it an extraordinary and exceedingly valuable man? ure, eminently adapted to the wants of the cotton plant. The opinion expressed by Doctor Piggot, which was so fully verified in the past season, that this guano contained a peculiar quality that would "give to the young plant great vigor in the first commencement of its existence," places it in the catalogue of fertilizers at the head of the list. A guano or manure that has the tendency to hasten the growth of the cotton plant from the time of its coming up to maturity even under the most unfavor? able circumstances, as was the case last spring, is or ought to be highly valued by the planter, as it I is equivalent in this latitude, to the addition of two or three weeks to the cotton-season. As to the " Flour of Bone " nothing can be said in its behalf, than has been said before and repeat? ed thousands of times. Even before the raw bones could be reduced to a powder as it is now by machinery, it was used in all the older countries that had made mach agricultural progress. In the condition yon furnish it, mixed with such other | material as will hasten its d?composition, I COB* ceive it to be second to no otucr fertilizer, for the crops of all kinds, grown in this state. I have used Pacific Guano and the Flour of Bone in equal quantities mixed in my garden the past seaRon. I have never had so good a garden before, and am compelled to attribute it to thc manure used. Such manures as answer a good purpose for garden crops, where plants are maturing at all seasons of the year, never fail in favorable seasons to produce good field crops. Many of our planters used the two manures combined, some using 100 pounds of each, others 130 pounds of guano, and 70 pounds of bone per acre, thoroughly mixed and sown in the drill or furrow. This mode is gaining favor, especially with such of our farmers or planters who are firmly of the opinion that 200 lbs. of the guano is more than ought to be used in the drill unless mixed with some other less active material. This may be a new and singular idea and perhaps an erroneous one, but there was certainly much force in the argument of one of our best farmers who takes that ground and acts upon it. It had for many years before the late war been a custom of our planters to mix all of their concen? trated manures such as guano, cotton seed, stable manure, &c, with swamp mud, woods mould, ditch banks, ic, in such quantities as to afford about 500 bushels of the compost to the acre for cotton. This work was usually put through between the 15th December and the 1st of March, at the cost of much hard work to hand and team. It was persisted in however, as it was considered the most speedy man? ner of improving the land, and the surest system of producing large crops while the improvement was going on, but now that the labor of the negro can? not be controlled as it was then, and has an uncon? querable aversion to this kind of work, and have pretty much their own way in all things appertaining to field work, it is to be presumed that this method of manuring will have to be relinquished, and some other adopted that it is to be hoped will answer as good or better purpose. If it should give rise to deeper and better ploughing, more thorough drain? age, and other improvements of which there is much need, the time may come and that speedily, when it may be considered a fortunate occurrence that the whole system was broken up. It is important in using guano to instruct the laborers to apply it as equally as possible in the furrows. To attain this end the proper quantity for a furrow, fifty or a hundred yards in length should be weighed to each hand, and let him try it, and see how near he can come to making it hold out. Let this be repeated until he gets accustomed to spread? ing it evenly along the furrow, which if he has any tact, will be much sooner than one would suppose at the first trial. No one need expect ike full bene? fit from the guano, unless this matter is attended to and accomplished. I have heard of two persons who used guano for the corn crop. Both of these speak highly of its effect. A much larger quantity in my opinion should be applied to corn than cotton, and it should be used broadcast. To give you a better idea of the effect of the Guano by itself and the guano and bone flour mixed, I will give you the statements of several of our best farmers whoauthorized me to do so if you desired it. 1 will mention here that of the large numbecof per? sons who bought these fertilizers last spring, I have heard but two speak of them in a way that could be possibly construed as unfavorable. One of these used 5 tons each of Pacific Guano, Flour of Bone and Peruvian Guano, and if he can save it will as he states make 100 bales weighing 400 lbs. each on 190 acres of land. The other used 5 tons Pacific and 5 tons Peruvian Guano, and will make 130 bales. The latter has not said that he will use no more Pacific, but he is very emphatic in declaring he will never use any more Peruvian Guano. These gentlemen certainly have cause to complain. The former especially. What ! only one bale of cotton per acre 1 Mr. Jesse Mercer, a practical farmer, and a man of sterling integrity, made an experiment last season with the' following manures : Peruvian Guano, Patapsco G nano, Pacific Guano, Baugh's Raw Bone Phosphate, and Coe's Superphosphate of Lime. The PacificGuano used in this experi? ment cost ?76 per ton laid down here, the quantity used in the experiment was 35 lbs. which made 80 lbs. more cotton than the unmanured land of the same size laying alongside of the manured. Or in other word.?", the land without manure made 60 lbs. The guanoed land 140 lbs. The Peruvian Guano cost $120 per ton. 35 lbs. were used on land adjacent of the same size and resulted in a product of 119 lbs., the unmanured land along side produced 70 lbs. The Peruvian cost 60 per cent, more than the Pacific Guano, while the Pacific in the above experiment show; in the yield of cotton a gain of 133J- per cent, and the Peruvian about 72 per cent. As regards th? other fertilizers used in the experiment, I prefei to say nothing, as the agents for their sale at this pointcan do so if they think proper. Mr. C. B. Killibrew opened his cotton furrowi and applied in the drill the usual compost manun in the drill and then sowed Pacific Guano at th? rate of 100 lbs. per acre, leaving six or eight (ur rows without guano. The guanoed land produce! an excess of 200 lbs. over the land with composi only. Mr. William F. Knight applied 200 lbs. of Pa cific Guano and averaged 500 lbs. more cottoi than tho unmanured land produced. He mad> 1050 lbs. of cotton in the seed per acre and hat 150 acres in cultivation. Doct. Wm. G. Noble used 200 lbs. of Pacifi Guano per acre and averaged about 400 lbs. o seed cotton in excess of the unmanured land. Mr. Blount Bryan used three tons of Guam He left one row unmanured in order to see who effect the manure would have. He picked les than half from that row, than the adjoining on manured.