12 SOILS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. 



and cultivation of the Muck or Peat. Frequently the top layer of 

 soil, to a depth of 5 or 6 inches, is bodily removed so that all weeds, 

 brush, and roots may be eradicated. The surface of the bed is then 

 graded to secure an economical and uniform application of water over 

 the bog, insuring a sufficient covering to protect the young plants. 

 Embankments are then built to supplement the natural elevated 

 borders of the bog to retain the irrigation waters. Provision is made 

 for drawing off the water and frequently some artificial drainage is 

 installed to assist in this. Large ditches are usually cut around the 

 edge of the plantation. Sand is then applied to the surface to a depth 

 of 3 or 4 inches and the bed is ready for the transplanting of the shoots 

 which will form the new bog. 



The yield of berries ranges from 25 to 125 bushels per acre. The 

 general average may be stated as close to 75 bushels per acre upon 

 well-established bogs. The fruit is marketed in barrels and brings 

 from $4 to $10 per barrel under prevailing market conditions. 



Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, 

 and Wisconsin are the leading producers of this fruit. 



Peat is less generally used for agriculture, and in all cases where 

 it has been profitably reclaimed it has been the black, well-rotted 

 deposits which have become fitted for the production of farm crops 

 rather than the brown fibrous material chiefly formed from sphagnum 

 moss. 



The agricultural uses of the purer deposits of peatr are indirect. 

 Thus, considerable amounts of dried peat have been used as a filler 

 for fertilizers. In some localities peat has been cut, stacked, and 

 dried to be used as an absorbent in stables, its high absorptive capacity 

 making it particularly valuable for this purpose. Dried and pulver- 

 ized or broken peat will absorb a larger amount of liquid manure than 

 either straw or sawdust. It is also readily decomposed when applied 

 to the soil or built into a compost heap. It is, therefore, one of the 

 best stable absorbents that can be used. 



FARM EQUIPMENT. 



Since the majority of tilled areas of Peat and Muck consist of small 

 tracts upon individual farms, which are worked incidentally to the 

 other operations of the farm, the equipment of such soils is not 

 distinctive. 



Where larger areas of Muck and Peat have been reclaimed for the 

 growing of special crops the equipment is sometimes unusual. In 

 many instances the farm dwellings are built upon adjacent uplands. 

 Similarly, the barns and stables are erected upon firmer soils. Thus 

 there is liable to be a lack of permanent building equipment upon the 

 larger areas of muck land. 



