340 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of the size of the fist. The difference in their weight when 

 dried and when taken from the bog, will show the percentage 

 of water contained and the difference between the weight of the 

 dry peat before burning and the ash that remains will give the 

 weight of carbonaceous matter in the fuel, upon the abundance 

 of which its heating value depends. 



The most common impurities of peat are sand and clay, 

 blown or washed in from the adjacent uplands ; and an excess 

 of these materials detracts from its value in the proportions in 

 which they exist. Some of the best peats found in the State do 

 not yield a residuum of ashes beyond fixe per cent, of their 

 original dry weight ; while there are others which burn quite 

 freely, and leave a residuum of twenty per cent. Individuals 

 and companies should ascertain all these facts beforehand, or 

 they may acquire, at too costly a sacrifice, the knowledge 

 obtained by one of the peat companies in the western part of the 

 State, which, after providing itself with all the machinery 

 requisite for an extensive business, found, when too late, that 

 by reason of the excess of foreign substances in their raw 

 material, the fuel made was almost valueless. 



There seems to be but little doubt that in progress of time the 

 peat-bogs of our State will be brought into use, and that for 

 •domestic purposes, as well as for stationary and movable engines, 

 it will be valuable. At any rate, every careful experiment 

 should be made in its manufacture and use ; and we trust that 

 another season will bring out additional facts, which will be 

 valuable to the owner of the land as well as to the consumer of 

 fuel. 



The Committee desire to express their obligations to the gen- 

 tlemen who have furnished them with many important facts in 

 relation to the manufacture and use of peat, and they respect- 

 fully submit their Report. 



Geo. B. Loring, Chairman. 

 James Thompson. 

 C. O. Perkins. 



This Essay having been read a second time by its title, was 

 adopted ; when an Essay was presented upon 



