368 



From 3,000 to 4,000 acres of fibrous peat, with average depth of 

 two feet, are contained in the marshes of West Huron. 



Of the other smaller deposits of peat noticed under marshes, no esti- 

 mate could be made. 



None of the^e beds of peat have yet been esteemed of importance 

 as an ariicle of fuel or manure. The wants of our population do not 

 demand any present consideration of its value for the former purpose. 

 But in the latter capacity it will be found serviceable and cheap, and it 

 is desirable that fair trials of it be made. It may not prove suflBciently 

 decomposed for the purpose, until mixed in the compost heaps, and con- 

 solidated by the application of quick lime. This disposition o^ it might 

 be made with peculiar facility where it occurs as in Plymouth, imposed 

 upon beds of marl. 



BOG IRON. 



Deposits of bog ore occur in limited quantities at numerous places; 

 their origin being apparent in the presence of highly ferruginous 

 soils. 



In the township of Greenfield, deposits of ore occupy a considerable 

 extent, chiefly on sections four and nine, where I traced it at intervals 

 over an area of one-half a square mile. It follows mainly the course of 

 two brooks, discharging into a tamarac marsh, on section ten, and em- 

 braces the interveninor ash swales. It is distributed over this area in 

 beds of a few yards wide, and irregular patches. The deposit consists 

 of an exceedingly compact bed of afoot thickness, which is broken out 

 in large masses, and it is mostly of inferior quality, being what is techni- 

 cally known as an old ore. This is succeeded by from two to six inches of 

 the variety called shot ore, which is apparently rich. The covering of 

 soil is from a few inches to two feet in thickness. This is by far the 

 largest depo -it in the county. Time would not permit a very accurate 

 analysis of the ores of this county, but a more detailed account of their 

 composition may be expected at a future period, in tr3ating of the other 

 ores of the State. One hundred grains, however, subjected to a rough 

 analysis, gave: 



Silicious and aluminous matter, 26.50 



Peroxide of iron, V3.50 



100.00 



