g6 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 



debris of decomposed aquatic or marsh plants. That formed from moss 

 is of the best quality, and it is very abundant in the granitic regions of 

 the northern United States. Muck is peaty matter mixed with soil, and 

 is consequently less valuable than the pure article. Peat ripens with 

 age or advancement in decomposition, and is thus comparatively heavy 

 and dense, and appears pitchy. Its value increases with age. This sub- 

 stance may make a good fuel; but especially it is susceptible, under 

 proper treatment, of becoming a valuable fertilizer. It absorbs and re- 

 tains water and ammonia, promotes the disintegration of the rocks, ren- 

 ders light soils more productive by its application, and acts as a direct 

 fertilizer. 



Those who have experimented with this material, and compared its 

 properties with those of ordinary stable manures, find that it usually car- 

 ries, in a given amount, one third more organic matter, an equal amount 

 of lime and nitrogen, but is deficient in potash, magnesia, phosphoric and 

 sulphuric acids. These deficiencies may be remedied by adding to lOO 

 pounds of fresh peat one pound of commercial potash, or five pounds of 

 unleached wood ashes, one pound of good superphosphate, or one pound 

 each of bone-dust and plaster of Paris. In view of the small amount 

 and the cheapness of the materials to be added to peat to make it equal 

 to stable manure, it seems as if the farms of New Hampshire might be 

 greatly enriched at a very small expense. The peat of various localities 

 requires different degrees of amendment; and therefore only the general 

 rule given above can be stated to show what ought to be done. Samples 

 should be sent to a chemist for special analysis by those who wish to 

 utilize the article. 



Without speaking exhaustively, we have a few notes about peat in dif- 

 ferent localities, which may be of service in giving some idea of the great 

 abundance of the deposit in every section of the state. The facts from 

 the extreme north were furnished by Mr. Huntington, and others are 

 copied from Mr. Upham's note-book. 



Bogs and peat swamps are very numerous in northern New Hampsliire. They are 

 found in every town, and are often of great extent. Sometimes they present a broad 

 area, without the vestige of a tree or shrub, except along their borders, and this area 

 is covered with a luxuriant growth of grass {Calaviagrosiis Canadensis). One of the 

 largest of this kind is a mile and a half west of Second lake, at the head of Jiay brook. 



