174 AMERICAN MANURES. 



to some extent, the same property to the soils to 

 which it is applied in large amount, and besides, 

 favors the growth of many noxious weeds. A 

 similar condition exists in old meadow lands 

 that have lain fallow for years, which the farmer 

 terms sour, and which are invariably benefited 

 by the application of lime. Hence the import- 

 ance of composting swamp muck and peat, to 

 effect what may be termed the second stage of 

 decomposition, which will render it available as 

 food for cultivated plants. Some authorities 

 recommend the burning of peat, and the subse- 

 quent application of the ashes, as a manure. 

 Those who recommend such a course have but 

 a superficial knowledge of its composition ; the 

 most valuable portion of it is the nitrogen or 

 potential ammonia, which would be entirely lost 

 by this process ; and besides, the value of the 

 ash in furnishing the organic elements of plants, 

 would not repay the farmer for his trouble. 



Mud, as found in the bottoms of ponds, ditches, 

 and sunken places, has a very different composi- 

 tion from swamp muck. Still some deposits of 

 mud are valuable as manure, and would amply 

 repay the farmer to collect and apply it. As it 

 contains only a small amount of organic remains, 

 it has but little value in composting. 



Dried Earth. The absorbent and deodorizing 

 properties of dried earth, and the benefits that 



