728 DIGGING AN1> IMlKPARATIOX OF PEAT. 



from the commencement of working it, the admission of oxygen 

 from the air will more or less quickly convert the insufficiently 

 decomposed and less valuable peat into rich black peat which is 

 the most valuable kind. Well drained peat also crumbles far 

 less than when the bog is uudrained. 



It is evident that if a bog is to be properly utilized, it 

 should be worked in accordance with a fixed plan prepared 

 beforehand ; this plan specifies how much peat should be dug 

 yearly, where the digging is to be commenced, in what direc- 

 tion it is to be continued, according to what principles it is 

 to be drained and the best lines for transport. Wherever there 

 is an intention of utilizing the peat and then converting the bog 

 into a forest or meadows, so much of it will be dug each year in 

 accordance with the purpose in view, to which the utilization of 

 the peat is merely subsidiary. 



If, however, it is intended to have a permanent supply of peat, 

 only so much should be dug yearly as the bog produces in a 

 year. 



Fresh peat is produced regularly in all bogs where the condi- 

 tions remain unaltered. Thus some bogs produce annually 

 layers of peat 5 or 6 inches thick, or even thicker; others a mere 

 film of new peat, and others none at all. 



The first condition for a renewal of the peat is a drainage 

 system by means of which the parts of the bog from which the 

 peat has been dug can be properly irrigated. If these portions 

 can be kept submerged continually, but not too deeply (about 

 2 to 4 inches), whilst here and there ridges and mounds remain 

 above water-level, the water containing humus and the base of the 

 bog not being complelely freed from peat, a continual production 

 of peat may bo confidently anticipated. In order to secure these 

 conditions, the useless upper layers of peat and other refuse are 

 thrown on the cleared areas and trenches, care being taken to 

 keep these latter inundated. 



The mode of reproduction of a bog cannot be explained in a 

 general manner, but only observed on individual bogs, whilst 

 any change in the drainage of the surrounding land may 

 greatly allect matters in this respect. As, therefore, a long 

 period is required for such observations, during which changes 

 in the water-su])ply may occur and the rate of production of 



