256 History and uses of Peat. 



are called peats or turfs, and freeing them by desiccation 

 from the water with which they are penetrated. 



In order to have sufficient time for desiccation, which can 

 be done only in spring and summer, it is necessary to begin 

 digging the peat in the latter part of March, or the fore part 

 of April.* 



8. The process of digging or raising Peat. 



The digging is done by making an open trench, because 

 low grounds do not admit of galleries, as in mines of pit coal. 

 One of the greatest difficulties to overcome, indeed the only 

 one in working peat beds, is to keep the trenches and exca- 

 vation sufficiently dry ; but we niu?t even raise it from under 

 water, when it is not otherwise accessible. 



In order to work with success, it is important to avoid the 

 embarrassment of water. For this purpose, we must com- 

 mence with opening the trench at the lowest place, leavmg 

 behind a sufficient declivity for the water to run off"; or when 

 we are forced to it, make reservoirs to receive it. Dykes and 

 dams would be requisite, if we begun at the highest place, 

 which would occasion expense, and expose to accidents and 

 the loss of labour. The most regular way, is to open a trench 

 at the lower part of the valley, so that it may form a dram as 

 we ascend. When all is removed which is convenient by 

 the spade, the remainder is to be taken out by a hooked or 

 curved shovel called a drag.] This is better than to let the 

 peat which is under water remain behind, and be lost. A 

 canal made in this manner may often answer to float boats 

 for carrying off" the peat ; or it may serve to drain the marsh. 

 This canal, by being filled with alluvion, and matters depo- 

 sited by rains and storms, may itself become valuable land 

 for agriculture.! When the first canal is exhausted of its 

 peat, another is to be made, taking care to have it so far dis- 

 tant as not to receive the water of the former, by its oozing 

 through the intervening ground. 



This manner of working peat beds is common in Holland, 

 where a deficiency of wood has long made it necessary to 



* In the latter part of April or in May, in New-England. — Trans. 



t On account of pulling or working it as the Americans do the hoe. — lb. 



X According to Dr. North, if the conversation with him is accurately recol- 

 lected, the excavation will fill again with good peat within twenty or thirty 

 years, unless the marsh is so completely drained as to change its character. 

 This refers to the peat beds in the county of New-London. — lb. 



