42 THE SPIRIT OF THE SOIL 



other wounds, with excellent results. For the same 

 reason, and because of its mechanical texture, it is 

 greatly valued as a packing material. 



Lastly, as is well known, peat is in considerable 

 demand for litter. Its value consists chiefly in the 

 facts that it is able to absorb far larger amounts of 

 moisture than any other substance used for bedding, 

 that it is a good deodorizer, and for a considerable 

 period almost entirely prevents the decomposition 

 of nitrogenous and other organic substances. 

 Further, it is springy and durable, and keeps the 

 feet of the animals standing on it in a perfectly 

 healthy condition. 



Commenting on the position of peat generally, 

 Dr. Dachnowski writes : 



" Peat can hardly be classed as a satisfactory raw 

 material for making any of the more complicated 

 products under the usual conditions existing in Ohio, 

 where other and established substances are already 

 to be had in any desired quantity and at satisfactory 

 prices. Moreover, these products are obtained from 

 peat only by large investment of capital, and in 

 most cases cannot be manufactured before the plant 

 has passed through a long experimental period, 

 which must be properly provided for by a consider- 

 able fund established for the purpose. The simple 

 products, peat litter, mull, mattresses, packing 

 material, and peat fertilizer litter, have a much 

 greater chance of being quickly made profitable, 

 because some of them are already on the market, and 

 present uses for which the peat is especially adapted. 

 Moreover, the processes of preparation are simple, 

 and the cost of equipment for their manufacture 

 with tried machinery is so low that moderate ex- 

 penditure will fully equip a plant to produce them, 



