WATER IN AGRICULTURE. 161 



its contained inorganic principles, we find the whole 

 amount to be less than 50 Ibs. I hope not to be 

 misunderstood in the matter. The ashes are far 

 from being the only manurial part of peat ; and as, 

 in burning, some of the most valuable elements are 

 volatilized and lost, it is not good economy to burn 

 peat for the purpose of securing the ashes. Fresh 

 peat, allowed to ferment in contact with lime, is 

 changed into new substances capable of nourishing 

 plants, and where it can easily be obtained it pays 

 the farmer well to secure a good supply. I cannot 

 help remarking, however, in this connection, that 

 many of the statements made by our chemist and 

 journal writers regarding the value of muck or 

 peat are simply absurd, and are proved erroneous 

 by practical experiment. The great value of peat, 

 after all, lies in its absorbent qualities. From the 

 experiments and experience of a considerable num- 

 ber of years, I feel inclined to urge the farmers of 

 our country to save the liquid excrement of their 

 animals by the use of seasoned peat in their cattle 

 stalls and manure pits, as an absorbent, rather than 

 to recommend them to drag it many miles at much 

 expense to be used, by itself or in compost, for 

 fertilizing purposes. 



In this connection it is proper to say, that one 

 of the forms of frauds practised by manufacturers 

 of commercial fertilizers, is in allowing a large per- 

 il 



