ioi History and uses of Peat. 



into the peat. It is now turned round, and withdrawn witlj 

 as much peat as it can bring with it. The quahty <»t'this is 

 examined, and by a httle experience its value is easily ascer- 

 tained by the sight. 



The sound is again introduced, and another point is taken 

 up. This process is pursued, either till the whole layer of peat 

 is perforated, or it is found to extend to a sufficient depth, 

 and to be of such a quality as to justify the further opening 

 and working of the bed. 



If the peat were always uniform in quality, it might be 

 sufficient to make but few perforations, merely to ascertain 

 the extent of the bed ; but in the same valley there is some- 

 times found excellent peat, and at a very little distance a 

 very inferior kind. Sometimes, the first points are good or 

 bad, and the last which are drawn from the same opening 

 are of an opposite quahty. It is therefore proper in sound- 

 ing, to bore at the distance of every three fathoms, to ascer- 

 tain the general quality of the bed, when the peat appears 

 to be uniform ; but when its quality is unequal, search should 

 be made at the distance of two fathoms, and even of one. 



We would remark, that after one stratum has been perfo- 

 rated and examined, the succeeding layer of sand or marie 

 may be bored through, and the sounding be continued, be- 

 cause several strata of peat are often found beneath such de- 

 posits. 



6. The different kinds of Peat. 



The colour, weight, mixture of the different fragments of 

 plants, fresh water shells, and earth, are the things which con- 

 stitute the principal differences between the several varieties 

 of peat. 



The different combinations of it depending upon the de- 

 gree of bituminization, are sufficient to produce very many 

 kinds of peat ; but there are only three kinds of it which are 

 noticed as articles of commerce; viz. 1st, light peat, 2dly, 

 medium* peat, and 3dly, hard peat. 



1st. Light peat is of a brown colour mixed with white, 

 porous, intermingled with a greater or less quantity of reeds, 

 rushes, and other marshy plants ; and fresh water shells are 

 often found in it. It burns with activity, shoots out a con- 



Brown or soft. 



