PEAT AS AN ABSORBENT AND AS A FERTILIZER. 103 



to the best mode of making a compost bed of peat, some of which 

 are not now inapplicable. Availing m3'self of some of his sugges- 

 tions, I will take the responsibilit}' of here giving m}' own. 



If a large bed is to be formed, select a con^ enient spot, nearly 

 level, and mark out a parallelogram, about twelve feet wide, and of 

 any desirable length, for the ground to be occupied. Cover this 

 bed over with peat, which has been dug several months, to the depth 

 of ten inches ; then dump successive piles of barn manure in a line 

 close up to the sides of the peat, sufficient to cover it to the depth 

 of six inches, to be shovelled in. Protect the exposed sides, as 

 filled up, and dump along them enough more peat to raise the bed 

 about eight inches more, and shovel it evenly over the manure ; 

 then, in like manner, add about four or five inches of manure, and 

 so on, adding peat and manure in alternate layers until the pile is 

 about four feet high ; the last or top layer always to be peat and the 

 sides protected by it, and the upper lasers being thinner than the 

 lower. 



After fermentation has commenced, see that the heat is not too 

 great ; and when necessary, begin at one end, and fiicing that wa^', 

 throw the material, well mixed, toward that end, operating straight 

 across the heap and to the very bottom, smoothing and securing 

 the sides as the work goes on. Do this as often as an}- vapor with 

 the odor of ammonia or manure is perceived. Sticks ma}' be placed 

 in the pile to test the heat, as already suggested. Rain storms are 

 sometimes long-continued and severe, and it would be well to have 

 a partial covering of rough boards in readiness for occasional pro- 

 tection from a flood. 



If only a small quantity of manure is used, the heap maj' be one 

 or two years in the process of decomposition ; but if a large 

 amount of manure or salts is emplo3'ed, the process may be hastened. 

 Any waste vegetable or animal matter, kelp, bone-dust, or a small 

 sprinkling of slaked lime may be intermixed with profit. If animal 

 manure is wanting, fifteen or sixteen "bushels of leached wood ashes 

 to a cord of peat will excite fermentation. Sixt}' pounds of soda- 

 ash or ninetj^ pounds of potash, dissolved and evenly distributed 

 in a hquid state, will decompose a cord, but earth or peat should 

 always be at the top of the compost, to arrest any liberated gases. 



Dr. Jackson, after recommending the mixing with lime or ashes, 

 as tending to disengage the ammonia, saturate the noxious acids, and 

 convert them, by combination, into fertilizing salts — adds this cau- 



