88 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



Thus, lean animal flesh, by being immersed in runing 

 water a given time, becomes changed into a substance 

 called adifiocire, resembling spermaceti; and in this state 

 would probably almost bid defiance to the ravages of 

 time. 



And something similar to this may be observed of vege- 

 table matter, particularly of the hard and woody kinds : 

 The more solid parts may remain for unknown lengths of 

 time, when buried beneath the surface, in earths, and in 

 temperatures, suitable for preserving them; while the 

 parts, which are more easily changed, will decompose to a 

 certain extent, and thus form a mass of peaty or turfy mat- 

 ter, which will serve to preserve the sounder wood from 

 decomposition or decay. 



Such seems to be the case in Ireland. In many of the 

 bogs of that Country, trunks of trees are taken up entire 

 and sound; while all the rest has become converted into 

 peat, or perhaps turf. 



Peat, when found below the surface of the earth, is a 

 much more solid and compact substance, than that found on 

 the surface ; and when dug up, and exposed for some time 

 to the air, becomes hard, like a cinder. When put in com- 

 post, in which lime is an ingredient, it readily undergoes a 

 further decomposition, and becomes converted into a sub- 

 stance similar to muck, or the black dirt of bog-meadows. 



Turf, in composts, will also undergo a similar change; 

 though this earth will gradually decompose, or rot away, by 

 mere exposure to the air. Such, too, is the case with the 

 peaty earth, before mentioned, found on the surface, and 

 which, on this account, might more properly be classed with 

 turf, did it not differ from that earth, in never growing 

 again, when a part of it has been cut away. Probably this 

 kind of peat should only be identified with that which is 

 found below the surface, by being long placed in a similar 

 situation. 



The fossil peat, or that which is found under the surface, 

 burns very freely, when dried, and is superior to turf, as 

 an article of fuel. Peat of this description may also be con- 

 verted into charcoal, and the red sort, Mr. Elliot^ of Con- 

 necticut, says, is better for this purpose than wood. The 

 method of converting it to this use is similar to that for 

 wood. 



See FUEL. 



We will now say something in regard to soils which are 

 particularly designated, as being formed of a mixture of 

 some of the principal earthy ingredients; although, in 

 strictness, almost all soils are, more or less, composed of 

 mixed ingredients. 



