l86 A TREATISE ON THE CONNECTION OF 



The burning a part of the upper surface may, in some 

 cases, be requisite, to afford, when it is otherwise too dif- 

 ficult to be procured, a due jiroportion of earthy matter.. 

 Peat ashes will, in such cases, adt in making a different 

 mechanical arrangement in the soil: Uut, near the sides 

 of the bogs where surface mould is to be had, a prefe- 

 rence should be given to it. 



The alteration in the mechanical arrangement of the 

 soil being effeded, the next obje^H: is the application of 

 such substances as will bring the peat, or inert vegetable 

 matter, into action. These substances are lime and alka- 

 line salts, which contribute in different ways to the pro-- 

 posed improvement. 



Improved peat mosses, bogs, or reclaimed fen lands, 

 are the soils the most produdive of luxuriant vegetation^ 

 although from this cause they do not in general yield, 

 in this northern and humid climate, heavy and well filled 

 grain. Such soils should be principally dedicated to pas- 

 ture, and should only be ploughed when, notwithstand- 

 ing the utmost endeavours, the ground produces coarse 

 or rank grass; but this is in a great measure, or perhaps 



entirely,. 



