IX.] RECLAMATION OF FEN LAND 299 



and after a few repetitions the land was found to be 

 seriously depleted of its reserves of humus. Burning 

 became replaced in the Fens by a marling process, 

 especially where the peat was of a sandy nature ; trenches 

 were opened to the bed of marl or clay always found 

 beneath the peat, and the clay thrown out and spread 

 at the rate of 100 loads or so per acre, the burning 

 process being reserved for the first reclamation, when 

 a mass of surface vegetation had to be got rid of. In 

 other districts, where marl is less available, peat has 

 to be brought into cultivation by draining the land with 

 open cuts, allowing some considerable time to elapse 

 during which the peat dries, shrinks, and consolidates, 

 and then correcting the acidity with lime. 



It is in Germany and Holland that the reclamation 

 of peaty areas has been most systematically pursued. 

 The process must begin with a thorough drainage of 

 the area, either by cutting off the sources of the 

 incoming water or by deepening the outlet, so as to 

 lower the permanent water level to some distance 

 below the surface of the land. According to the 

 conditions, the area may require a system of drainage 

 cuts and open ditches to get away the water, which the 

 peat parts with slowly because of its colloid nature. 

 The consolidated peat may be removed if there is 

 a market at hand for peat fuel, but the loose, less 

 rotted material near the surface is thrown back to form 

 the soil. Where the land is to be used for arable 

 cultivation it is very desirable to spread a layer of 

 whatever soil is available below the peat, even if it 

 is pure sand. The rough vegetation on the surface is 

 carefully burnt off and the fundamental manuring upon 

 which the cropping depends is then applied. This 

 consists of from 2 to 4 tons per acre of ground chalk 

 or marl, about 5 cwt. of basic slag, and 6 to 8 cwt. of 



