IMPROVEMENT OF PEAT LANDS. 35 



agricultural chemistry to discover. The philosophers have 

 approached the promised land, but have not yet got possession. 



1. DRAINAGE. Drainage is the first step in the progress. The 

 land should be pierced by deep ditches of at least four feet in 

 width, and the depth, and distance from one to the other, to be 

 determined by circumstances. Peat lands, or bogs, vary greatly 

 in depth from a foot to a depth, in some cases, of twenty feet, or 

 indeed much more, and beyond being sounded, and which, in 

 our improvements, it would be hopeless to attempt to reach. 

 The only rule to be given is to make the drains of such a depth 

 as to take off the water completely from the bog as low as three 

 feet. It seems generally advised to leave the great, and, if so 

 they may be called, the central drains open. If they are not 

 sufficient to effect the perfect drainage of the land, then side 

 drains, not sunk so deep, but emptying into the main drains, 

 must be made. It is impossible to lay down rules, applicable to 

 all places, for the distances at which these drains must be made 

 from each other so much must depend upon the extent of land 

 to be drained ; the quantity of water ordinarily to be removed, 

 whether it be water from permanent springs or only flood-water 

 from the hills ; and, likewise, the descent or fall by which it can 

 be carried off. Two eminent farmers in Lincolnshire, one of 

 whom I had the pleasure of visiting, speak of making their 

 ditches eleven yards apart, from centre to centre, and of four 

 feet width but no arbitrary rule can be adapted to all situa 

 tions ; and this must be left to the judgment of the improver. 

 These ditches are left open ; and perhaps, here, this is the only 

 eligible mode ; yet, on two farms in Massachusetts, where, I am 

 proud to say, the improvements in redeeming peat bog, though 

 on a comparatively very small scale, for the intelligence and 

 success with which they have been made, would do honor to 



gen, which is rendered available for the sustenance of the next generation of 

 plants. In estimating the fertility of a soil, therefore, it is most important to de 

 termine the quantity of these organic matters, and particularly the amount of 

 nitrogen which they contain. The mere presence of organic matter indicates 

 nothing ; thus a peaty soil may be absolutely barren, if the decomposition of its 

 organic matter has been carried on under water, where the oxygen and nitrogen 

 of the air have not access, and consequently only inert ulmine, destitute of the 

 power of evolving carbonic acid and ammonia, be produced.&quot; p. 270. 



