38 



from " an entirely barren peat moss," and also the result of an 

 analysis of a sample from a " fertile moss," which are herewith 

 appended. Two things are particularly observable in regard to 

 these analyses, viz. : the much greater quantity of fine silicious 

 sand in the fertile sample, and the difference in the condition of 

 the vegetable matter, it being " inert " in the barren, and in a 

 " decomposing " state in the fertile sample. Both lots are under- 

 stood to be drained. 



Sample from the Barren Lot. 



400 



Dana, in his Muck Manual, gives a summary of the constituents 

 of twelve samples of muck or peat from different localities in this 

 State, from which it appears that in regard to " soluble geine," 

 they varied from 10.00 to 48.80, and in " salts and sihcates," 

 from 6.00 to 40.55. But he does not particularly inform us in 

 reference to the character of the localities from which the samples 

 were taken. 



It may be remarked that deposits of muck are sometimes 

 underlaid by marl, abounding, in many instances, with the remains 

 of crustaceous animals. In the Hudson river valley and other 

 portions of New York, and in the westerly portions of this State, 

 as well as other sections of this country, such deposits are not 



