102 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The upland moors are covered with the Callima vulgaris^ ordinarily 

 called heather, which, when in bloom, has the appearance of red 

 clover. The plant is an evergreen shrub, growing about a foot high, 

 with foliage like our juniper or red cedar. Scattering birch trees 

 and a few deciduous shrubs, in addition to the attractive bloom of 

 the heather, make a pleasing scene and one which well merits the 

 notice of the artist. The moors are immense beds of decayed mosses, 

 among which the sphagnum genus largely predominates, and are 

 from 6 to 15 feet deep. Underneath them, in some localities, is a 

 stratum of sand, in others clay, and in still others lime rock. The 

 several layers, which are easily traced when a section of the bed 

 is made, indicate that different cycles of climatic conditions have 

 attended the formation of this huge vegetable sponge. The entire mass 

 is filled with water, and is imjoassable for large animals and nearly 

 so for men. The more solid parts are dug out in brick form, dried in 

 the open air, and used for fuel. The top 4 feet in depth, in many of 

 the moors in northern Germany, is too light and spong}' for fuel. 

 \Vhen dry this is passed through a machine with two rollers carry- 

 ing hooks which pull the material to pieces, after which it is baled 

 and shipped abroad to be used as bedding for live stock in barns in 

 the place of straw, and for the manufacture of mattresses, and for 

 other similar purposes. 



Some progress in utilizing this land for agriculture has been made 

 in the more favorable localities by individuals, who have shown enter- 

 prise and untiring industry. The lands lying in the valley of the Sal- 

 zach River, near Salzburg, Austria, have been highly productive many 

 years. These moors lie upon limestone, differing in that respect from 

 those in northern Germany. Grasses grow exceedinglj'^ thick upon this 

 soil, three good crops being gathered each season. Here fruits are 

 grown to some extent, as well as all the cereal crops. The drainage 

 is accomplished by open ditches, often as deep as 7 feet, placed parallel 

 to each other about 70 feet apart. No lime is required in preparing 

 the raw land for crops, but annual dressings of fertilizers containing 

 potash and phosphoric acid, supplemented by barnyard manure, are a 

 necessary part of their management. 



In late years the Government has established experiment stations, 

 having for their sole object the reclamation of moor lands. Xotable 

 among them are those at Hude and Ottersberg, in northern Germany, 

 under the direction of Dr. Tacke; in the south, the principal one of 

 which is at Bernau, under the direction of Dr. Baumann ; and those in 

 the interior, under the direction of Dr. Schrieber. 



A cursory view of some portions of the moors which have been 

 reclaimed in the vicinity of Hude reveals a most unique kind of 

 agriculture. The highway, bordered by birch trees, is built upon the 

 original surface of the land, while upon either side, and 8 feet below, 

 are little meadows of grass, or fields of potatoes growing upon terraces 



