$66 *>* turK 



which float in the air, and engender a quantity of marfh plants, 

 of reeds, and of herbs, which the fourth year become fo heavy 

 that they fall to the bottom. They then become comprefl'ed 

 there, and by fucceflive repetitions of this operation, all the 

 trench becomes filled up in the eourfe of 30 years; however 

 this turf would probably require 100 years before it would 

 equal the ancient turf. 

 Three fpecies of* Although this turf is always the fame in its conftituent parts, 

 lU it neverthelefs differs in having thefe parts varioufly mixed, 



which occaiions its being divided into three fpecies. The 

 xftThefurface firft comprehends the fit rface turf, and is the moil common 

 tur ^ kind ; it is found almoft every where ; but it contains in fome 



places more combuftible matter, which makes its colour vary. 

 Found wherever This fpecies is always fure to be found wherever places are 

 and Is covered" discovered where the water Magnates, whether on plains, ele- 

 vith weeds, vations, or declivities, in fuch a manner as to form a thick 

 blueifli cruft, and depofits a yellow mud ; or where the foil is 

 covered with mofs, reeds, rufhes, or ridges; and if at the 

 fame time the feet of the paflenger finks into the loofe foil, if 

 and where trees tne earth bends' beneath his feet; if trees are perceived (which 

 covered with are commonly little pines or fir trees, or fometimes other kinds 

 wp-rootedby the °^ trees >) covered with much mofs, inclined to one fide, and 

 -wind. half rooted up at the other by the wind ; in all thefe places turf 



will be found near the furface, and it is only neceflary to re- 

 move the fod to perceive it. But this operation may be per- 

 formed more quickly and eafily with the Englifti borer, which 

 alfo will (hew the depth of the bed. 

 To procure it To procure the turf, the water thould be drained off, which 

 the waw fliould j s ea f., to ( j jf the country is elevated or has valleys in its vi- 

 be drained oft. ... . . ,.-« , , , ,. . 



cinity ; but the operation is more difficult when the earth is 



level. As perfons are not always to be found capable of tak- 

 ing the levels of ground, the places fliould be remarked where 

 the water fettled in fpring when the fnow melts ; thefe places 

 Eafy method of ftypuld be marked by ftakes, and afterwards the trenches fliould 

 Inding the de- be made to pafs this way which are to be dug, to let the water 

 fcent tor the . - .„., „«• 

 drains. ' ' Un off ' 



Method of pre- To cut the turf an iron fpade is ufed, which fliould be nei- 



pa^ng the fur- ther round nor pointed, but terminating in a ftraight line ; 



this fho.uld be fcrewed down as far forwards as poflible, along 



the fide of a ftretched cord, by a line 14 inches long and fix 



broad j the detached part is feparated from the depth of three 



inches 



