Analysis. Peat. ] 



74 [Senate 



ferent parts of Massachusetts, the highest and the lowest in the scale 

 of soluble geine, is selected and given here, as well as two specimens 

 of pond mud. This is done, as the value of neither peat or such 

 mud is sufficiently appreciated by the farmer; and they are neglected 

 when they might easily be made a source of the greatest fertility: 



Soluble Geine. Insoluble Geine. Total Geine. Salts and Silicates. 



10.15 49.45 59.60 40.40 



48.80 43.60 92.40 7.60 



T, J A/r J ^ 5.10 8.90 14. 86. 



Pond Mud. ^ 8.10 6.50 14.60 84.40 "^ 



In his analysis of various manures, he takes for his standard, cow 



dung; and it is not a little remarkable that the constituents of peat and 



cow dung, should so nearly coincide. Dr. Dana's esti- 

 Comparison " 



•with Cow mate of the several parts of peat of average quality, and 

 of cow dung, is as follows. The peat was fresh dug, in 

 this case; before, it was dried at 300°. 



Peat. Cow Dung. 



Water, ....85. 83.60 



Salts, 1. .95 



Geine, 14. 15.45 



But notwithstanding this decayed vegetable matter is so rich in 

 the organic elements of plants, experience proves that, applied in its 

 Peat Com- ^^^ural state, it is almost valueless as a manure, compared 

 posts. -with stable manures; and hence the reason it has been so 

 little prized. Science has shown the cause of this result, and the 

 means of obviating it; or, in other words, of unlocking the fertilizing 

 powers of these vegetable deposits. To be able to give out ammo- 

 nia, the peat or swamp muck must be fermented; and this may be 

 effected by the direct addition of alkalies, or by making the peat into 

 a compost with fresh manures. If alkalies are added, the quantity 

 necessary to bring a ton of fresh peat into the same condition, so far 

 as regards ammonia, as cow dung, would be " 92 lbs. of potash, 61 

 lbs. of soda, or 16 to 20 bushels of common house ashes." But the 

 farmer will usually find the best method of using peat, w-ill be to com- 

 bine the peat with manure, by mixing it with dung in his yards, or 

 making it into compost. Many experiments have been made by some 

 of the best farmers and gardeners of Massachusetts, in relation to the 

 use of peat; and all unite in pronouncing it most valuable. Mr. 

 Phinney of Lexington says, that " a cord of green dung converts 

 twice its bulk of peat, into a manure of equal value to itself; that is, 

 a cord of clear stable dung, composted with two of peat, forms a 



