NATURE OF SWAMP-MUCK. 131 



where the constituents are coarse and spongy, with frag- 

 ments of twigs, rushes, and leaves, seen in distinct outline. 

 In the second class the organized structure |^f plants can be 

 recognized, but the decay has proceeded so far as to break 

 them up into almost indistinguishable forms. These prod- 

 ucts are rather light and spongy, but much denser than those 

 of the first class. The third class is the black, dense, per- 

 fectly metamorphosed humus, with a clayey feel, and, when 

 touched, leaves discoloration upon the finger. 



The two first varieties I will designate as " peat ; " tlie last, 

 "muck." All these forms when dried are useful for fuel, 

 but not for employment upon the farm, unless, possibly, as 

 absorbents for liquid manures. The first two forms had 

 better be cast out of the category of useful farm agents, and 

 attention only be given to muck proper. 



MUCK PROPER. 



Muck, then, considered as the most advanced of all bog 

 deposits, is easily recognized by its peculiar physical condi- 

 tions, and is the only substance about which farmers need 

 concern themselves ; and it now remains to consider its 

 value as a manurial agent. The large amount of water 

 mixed with muck in its natural state is a most serious 

 obstacle to its farm employment. It may be stated to hold 

 a minimum of sixty per cent, and a maximum of ninety-two 

 per cent, the average being, in New-England mucks, not far 

 from eighty-five per cent, of water. To cut out a water- 

 soaked substance like this from a treacherous, spongy bog, 

 lift it into carts, and haul it long distances, involves great 

 labor and expense. If it is allowed to air-dry on the spot 

 where exhumed, some advantage is gained ; but it must be 

 remembered, that, under the most favorable weather and con- 

 ditions for drying, much water remains to be transported. 

 Experiments at my farm upon air-dried mucks, extended 

 over five seasons, showed that water remained in the material 

 to an extent varjdng from thirty to forty-seven per cent. It 

 is probable that not many farmers have ever seen a specimen 

 of absolutely dry muck ; that is, such specimens as the 

 chemist has in hand in making his analysis in the laborator}'. 

 The absolute water-free muck is a light substance usually, 

 which the wind will scatter as it does a handful of feathers. 



