Because, if it does pay, that is, if the farmer can buy guano at present prices, and realise an increase of crops more than enough to pay the expense, it does pay. We think we have shown this fact by incontrovertible evidence. If the first crop pays for the guano and no more, the farmer has a certain profit in the improved condition of the land. If the first crop does not pay, the land will be enough better to pay cost. Upon this point, Mr. Mechi, of England, whose name has become world wide known as an improver of the soil, says; "Whether guano will pay, depends upon the condition of the soil. On poor exhausted soil it is a ready and cheap mode of restoring fertility. I used it extensively when I first began farming, and when applied to the grain crops at the rate of two to three cwt. per acre, it paid well; but now it has lost favor with my bailiff, which is easily accounted for; my land being at present so well filled with manure, nitrogen or ammonia, that we can grow ample crops without it. When the land only yielded two to two and a half quarters of wheat per acre, it was grateful for guano; but now, with a produce of five quarters, there is no necessity for its use. Or rather, the increased supply of farm manure supplies that necessity." This is exactly what we have aimed to impress upon our readers; that it will pay in the crop to which it is applied—it will more than pay in the soil, because it will bring it into a condition of permanent fertility. It will pay best upon the poorest soil; because that which was absolutely barren, becomes fruitful as soon as dressed with guano. It will always pay whenever and wherever applied to any soil in a fit condition to be benefitted by manure. It will make not only the soil rich, but whoever uses it to any considerable extent. It will pay best when used in the condition in which you buy it, with no additional labor or expense except breaking the lumps. If it is sown broadcast, not to exceed 400 lbs. per acre, and plowed in so deep it will not be disturbed by any subsequent cultivation of the crop to which it is applied, it will most certainly pay in that crop or the succeeding one. It will pay upon all plants to which it has ever been applied. Notwithstanding it will pay best in the soil, it will pay well on it as a top dressing, |