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PKAT. 



The upper soil of the marshes and swales above mentioned, is of the 

 kind denominated fibrous peat; an accumulation, simply, of the annu- 

 ally decaymir vegetation. On drying, it will be found a light spongy sub- 

 stance, which may be reduced to an impalpable powder; a character but 

 ill fitting it to become singly, a fertile soil. When, therefore, it occurs 

 unmixed with argillaceous or silicious matter, it is to be doubted w^heth- 

 er the most thorough drainage will render it permanently available, un- 

 less care is taken to subject it to irrigation at proper seasons, by closinof 

 the drains, and it be united with a proportionable admixture of earths. 

 This admixture may often be effected by bringing up the subsoil by deep 

 plowing. The washings from the sandy plains adjoining, when cultiva- 

 ted, will further assist the process. 



A coat of lime sown upon the surface would prove a most useful 

 auxiliary. This would exert the triple effect of absorbing moisture, 

 hastening the decomposition, and bestowing one of the most important 

 ingredients of a good soil. 



The application of this peat to the soil of the plains, much of which 

 is sterile, would be productive of very important benefit. To effect this, 

 it ought first to be carried to the manure heap, and there become thor- 

 oughly decomposed by mixing with quick lime. When applied, this 

 should be at once plowed under. The fine fibre of peat would dry and 

 dissipate if left upon the surface. 



When the comparative expense of cutting drains to that of clearing 

 timbered lands, the immediate applicability of these tracts, and their 

 utility in furnishing manure to the sterile soil adjacent, are considered, it 

 will be appH rent that the value of these portions of the county is not 

 over-estimated. 



LIMEROCK. 



The ranges of this rock before described, have a direction through 

 the county which corresponds to the line of bearing, or is at riglit angles 

 to the inclination of the strata. The dip is, consequently, northwest, or 

 northwest by north ; very obvious in the outer range, and about 5 ° iu 

 amount. 



The color varies from light shades of gray to dark blue. It is mostly 

 compact, but exhibits all that variety of character for which the "mouD- 



48 



