250 % OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS, &C. 



our city,) they lose their virtue, so that a load may not be 

 worth more than a bushel would be, if kept dry and clean. 



The farmers of Europe consider peat ashes of more value 

 than any others, and I am persuaded that could they be 

 fairly tested by some of our best cultivators great good may 

 result to the community. If the fanners in England can 

 afford to keep men under pay, perpetually burning peat for 

 the sake of the ashes, it is natural to suppose that the poor 

 of our community may be placed in easier circumstances 

 as respects the article of fuel. Thousands of acres of land 

 are to be found in the States of New-York and New Jersey, 

 and within a few miles of this city, which abound with peat 

 earth; and the owners of such have already began to ex- 

 plorj their treasures of this description. Good peat is now 

 to be had in the city at the low price of eight cents per 

 bushel, or three dollars per chaldron. It burns well in all 

 orts of stoves and grates, whether made for wood or coal* 

 and also on the hearth; and if the ashes are not used to any 

 better purposes than other ashes have hitherto been, it is the 

 cheapest fuel known. I am persuaded that this subject is 

 worthy of serious consideration, and if the editors of the 

 different papers would arouse the public attention, so as to 

 enlist some of our most active citizens to a consideration of 

 the subject, incalculable good may result to the community 

 at large. 



If the public authorities of our cities, and all those who 

 distribute fuel amongst the poor, gratis, would give them 

 peat instead of wood, it would be much cheaper, and would 

 answer every purpose to the consumers. In such cases 

 twelve bushels may be given in the first Winter month to 

 each of the applicants, instead of wood, with a strict injunc- 

 tion that they save their ashes in a dry state, in order to 

 their being taken in exchange for a future supply of peat. 

 It could be easily ascertained how much ashes twelve bushels 

 of peat would make, and if a strict attention be paid to the 

 conditions of exchange, it would soon be discovered which 

 of the applicants was the most entitled to the distributor's 

 bounty. The same sheds which it would be necessary to 

 provide for housing the peat, could be used as a deposit for 



