MANURES. 141 



of preparing peat is, that of mixing it in the yard "where cattle, 

 sheep, and hogs are confined. It thus becomes impregnated 

 with the urine of the animals, much of which would other- 

 wise be lost; and this renders the peat, as a fertilizer, equal 

 to the solid excrements of these animals; for, in addition to 

 the urine, it absorbs the leachings of the solid manures. Mr. 

 Phinney, of Lexington, says that a load of green dung will 

 convert two loads of peat, if well mixed, and make them equal 

 in value, as a fertilizer, to itself uncompostcd — that is, one 

 load of green dung, mixed with two loads of peat, will make 

 three loads of compost equal to three loads of green dung. 

 It is said of a farmer in Watertown that he makes no use of 

 his green dung as a fertilizer, though he keeps a large stock 

 of cattle. He sells it, and mixes the leached ashes from his 

 soap and candle factory with peat, in proportion to one part 

 of such ashes to three of peat — thus keeping his farm in a high 

 state of cultivation. He digs his peat in the fall, and in the 

 spring mixes the ashes with it by shovelling it over three or 

 four times. 



It is claimed, by such as have experience, that peat should 

 be taken from the swamp in the month of August or Septem- 

 ber, and suffered to lie through the winter ; and in the spring 

 it should be opened and mixed as aforesaid, one part of green 

 dung to two of peat, or of leached ashes, one to three. Un- 

 slaked lime may be used to accelerate fermentation. Com- 

 posted thus, it will be ready for use in the fall. Peat or muck 

 for the hog yard or barn yard should, also, be taken from the 

 swamp about six months before it is put into the yards. Pond 

 mud, though not so rich in humus as peat or muck, is a valua- 

 ble fertilizer — its action being more immediate thau that of 

 unfermented peat, owing to its greater proportion of salts and 

 silicates. 



In the winter of 1839-40, Mr. Whalcn, of Saratoga county, 

 New York, took from a pond on a creek one thousand loads of 

 pond muck, and put it on to a field of light sandy or gravelly 

 soil which had been thoroughly exhausted by cropping until it 

 produced nothing but sorrel and mullein. This muck was 

 spread and ploughed in, and the field planted to corn, which 

 yielded fifty bushels to the acre. The next winter he took out 



