*■ 



802 [ASSBMBLY 



of the progress in the county of agricultural science and im- 

 provement. The specimen analyzed by Prof. Salisbury, was 

 taken from the farm of Mr. Haywood, of Schroon, and is the 

 If pe of a vast body ranging through the adjoining premises of 

 Mr. Fowler, and others. The suggestions of Prof. Salisbury, 

 derived from the analyses, are eminently just and important. 



Bog earth, or peat, No. 22, 100 parts dried at 212'=^, gave of 

 Organic matter, 93 . 48 



Inorganic matter or ash, 6 . 52 



■I* 



This is a remarkable pure peat, being composed almost entirely 

 of organic matter. 100 parts of the inorganic matter or ash, 

 gave of 



Phosphoric acid, 11.37 



Sulphuric acid, 3.61 



Carbonic acid, 0.41 



Chlorine, 3.78 



Lime, 22.86 



Magnesia, .... , , 8 . 78 



Potassa, 13.24 



Soda, 16.32 



Iron, 7.01 



Alumina, 1.06 



Manganese, 0.41 



Silica, 3.11 



/^ 



99.96 



♦< From 4 to 7 per cent, of the dry peat, is made up of a peculiar 

 resinous matter, which seeras to impregnate and envelope the 

 fibres, and prevent their ready decomposition. By combining 

 with the peat, caustic lime, or ashes, or both, the resinous matter 

 will unite with the lime or potassa and soda of the ashes, and 

 form a soluble soap, which is readily dissolved in water, leaving 

 the undecomposed peat to be acted on freely by the agents of 

 decay. Every farmer who has used peat to any considerable 

 extent, is aware of the little benefit he derives from it when 

 spread alone upon his land. In fact many have become so pre- 



