159 



quently its nitrogen is not so available for plant food. Peat is composed largely of 

 woody fibre, still uudecomposed and still retaining its structure. Its derivation is 

 not largely from aquatic plants, as in the case of muck, and its formation does not 

 appear to have taken place with the presence of that large excess of water conducive 

 to the development of swamp deposits. While not so valuable for in:imediate use, 

 or as a compost, as muck, peat, by reason of its texture and absorbent qualities 

 generally, offers itself as being particularly valuable for soaking up and retaining 

 liquid manure. 



Muds. — Eiver and lake muds are formed by the gradual deposition of silt. They 

 consist largely of inert matter— very fine clay and sand — with variable amounts of 

 animal and vegetable dibris. As a rule their percentage of nitrogen is not large. 

 Their fine mechanical condition, however, often enhances their value. 



Mucks, peats and muds, without further fermentation or decay, do not readily 

 give up their nitrogen to growing plants. If applied to a soil without this previous 

 fermentation, the immediate result, except what may be due to improved tilth, will 

 not be a large one. The process there is a slow one, the rapidity, however, depend- 

 ing on the nature of the soil, the amount of moisture, and the temperature. Favour- 

 able conditions are a fairly light soil, and damp, hot wieather. 



It is as a compost that the full benefit of mucks may be obtained. Such may be 

 made by mixing it with barn-yard manure, wood ashes, dissolved bone or garden 

 and house refuse, and allowing them to heat together. By this means the nitrogen 

 becomes more and more soluble, and, therefore, of greater use for the plants. 



As already stated, peat and muck are excellent absorbents for liquid manure in 

 stables, cow houses, pig pens, &c. After being used for this purpose, and mixed 

 with some of the more solid manure, the mass should be allowed to ferment in a 

 heap, being from time to time turned over. In this way much fertilizing material 

 that might go to waste is preserved, and by the addition of the nitrogen of the muck 

 to that of the manure, a most valuable and rich fertilizer is obtained. 



During the past year twenty-seven specimens of these fertilizers have been 

 examined. They were obtained in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, 

 Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. 



They were accompanied by particulars as to source and amount of supply and 

 a request for information as to their fertilizing qualities. 



The following table gives the composition in full of the first five samples 

 analysed. The results are calculated on the air-dried material. 



