50 



V. PEATY SOILS. 



In those soils denominated peaty, there exist, in greater 

 or less quantity, vegetable matters in an tmdecomposed 

 state ; which, unlike the rich organic matter contained in 

 cultivated soils, furnishes no food to plants, except to 

 mosses and the coarser grasses. They increase in value 

 as the peat diminishes and the earths are intermixed. 



They are divided into 1, bog land; 2, moor; 3, 

 turf-bog. 



1. Bog land. Under this term are comprehended 

 those tracts of turf-bog, which have been cut out and 

 exhausted of all that would furnish material for the 

 fire. In such cases, the waste or superfluous bogstuff is 

 levelled and intermixed with the subsoil, by digging and 

 burning, and the ordinary farm labour ensues. 



2. Moor. Tracts of natural grazing, where the peaty 

 matter and clay are intermixed, are called moory. They 

 are sometimes productive of excellent grass for mountain 

 cattle. 



3. Turf-bog. Where the quantity of peaty matter is 

 deep, apparently unmixed, and fit to be cut for fuel, it is 

 called turf-bog. Its value depends 1st, on its contiguity 

 to arable land ; 2nd, on its scarcity in the neighbourhood ; 

 3rd, on its texture : that which is light and spongy being 

 little good for any purpose ; where it is black, close, and 

 heavy, it makes excellent firing. 



Large mountain or lowland tracts of turf-bog, covered 

 with heath or tufts of coarse grass saturated with water, 

 which renders them quaking and unsafe for cattle, are 

 almost valueless. 



vi. OF SUBSOILS. 



Much of the value of a soil is dependent on the nature 

 of the subsoil. The best soils reposing on a rocky or 

 sterile floor are apt to deteriorate ; while inferior soils, with 

 an improvable subsoil, increase in value with good culti- 

 vation. 



