Ill 



peat into carbonaceous matter, or to throw off, in the 

 state of fixable air, the acids therein contained. The 

 gasses thus generated will be inflammable, and phlogis- 

 ticated air forming volatile alkali, which will combine, ss 

 it is formed, with the oxygenated part of the peat that 

 remains unacted upon by the lime applied for this espe^ 

 cial purpose, in a small proportion. By this mode of 

 Conducting the process, a soluble saline matter will be 

 procured, consisting of phosphat and oxalat of ammo- 

 niac, whose beneficial effects on vegetation have already 



been described. 



Inattention, or ignorance of these important facts, has 

 probably, in many cases, defeated the wishes of the far- 

 mer in the application of this preparation, which is par- 

 ticularly recommended as a top-dressing to grounds un- 

 der pasture. , The proportion of the lime to the peat here 

 given, should be carefully attended to, and the mixing of 

 the two substances together should be performed under 

 cover, in a shed or out-house constructed for that pur- 

 pose, as too much rain, or a too great exposure to air, 

 will prevent a due action of the lime upon the peat. 



The 



