246 GEOLOGY OF EASTERN WISCONSIN. 



want of entire success in the former case, I gather the following 

 causes: 



1. Too much is expected, and consequently too great expense is 

 incurred and too great risks taken. Theoretical calculation readily 

 shows immense profits, and leads to manufacturing on a false basis, 

 unless large deductions are made for practical difficulties, and larger 

 margins left for unforseen contingencies. The manufacture of peat 

 in this state should only be undertaken on the basis of reasonable, not 

 immense, profits, as the result of judicious and careful management. 



2. The price of other kinds of fuel in some places leaves too small 

 a margin for profit. 



3. Errors in the selection of the marsh. The simple existence of 

 peat of a suitable depth does not ensure a suitable quality. The eye 

 and the fingers often reveal fatal impurities, and of those that pass 

 the examination of the senses, chemical analysis will show that some 

 are unsuitable. The proximity of a stream that habitually inundates 

 the bog is a prima facie cause for suspecting the peat to be impure. 



4. Errors arising from using that which is too near the edge, top, 

 or bottom of the bed. The edge and bottom are impure for obvious 

 reasons. Before the surrounding country was cultivated, the top w;is 

 as pure as other portions; but cultivation has immensely increased 

 the amount of earthy material carried into our marshes by the water, 

 and thus rendered the surface peat more impure. 



5. Errors in the manufacture. Prominent among these is the 

 failure to suitably dry the peat. Much of it contains, when taken 

 from the bed, ni/tiety per cent, of water. This must be reduced to 

 about twenty before it becomes suitable fuel. The peculiar hygro- 

 scopic property of peat, which is one of its valuable qualities as a 

 fertilizer, is a source of difficulty here. Our dry and windy climate 

 is however favorable, and if this difficulty has been overcome else- 

 where, it may most assuredly be here. 



6. Want of the best conveniences for burning it. Our stoves and 

 furnaces are especially adapted to coal or wood, and although peat 

 may be used in either, it is placed at a disadvantage. It must com- 

 pete with them on their own ground. 



7. Want of knowledge on the subject, and a natural indisposition 

 to change habits. 



These and other errors will readily be corrected by experience, and 

 if the laudable efforts that are being made to develop this new source 

 of fuel are sustained and encouraged by an enterprising public spirit, 

 we may confidently anticipate a final success. 



