308 Carbonisation of Peat. 



that the liquor might remain on them. Others, too large to dip, 

 were laid sideways over the vessel and syringed, taking care to 

 waste as little of the liquor as possible. A great many plants 

 may thus be done in a little time, and for a trifling expense, not 

 more than one shilling per gallon. Perhaps some people would 

 make it stronger than I have done. 



I have not done all I intend with it yet; but the best thing I 

 can at present suggest is, to have an upright vessel made of 

 zinc, about 9 in. in diameter, and as high as persons may be dis- 

 posed to fill ; and if kept covered it may stand in a forcing-house 

 always ready, and will not waste much. In addition to this, I 

 recommend a zinc tray for it to stand in, about 3 ft. square, to 

 catch the mixture when large plants are syringed with it, laying 

 the plant on its side in the tray. I do not wish to lead any one 

 to suppose that this will entirely render smoking with tobacco 

 unnecessary, because where plants grow in the borders it could 

 not be applied, and in many instances tobacco is not objection- 

 able : but I am quite sure that, where it is used, tobacco will not be 

 wanted so often ; and, for lack of something of the kind, a few 

 plants are frequently spoiled, because smoking is either thought 

 disagreeable or expensive. While I am on the subject, I would 

 just hint to those who are apt to murmur that the gardener 

 uses too much tobacco, that they never ought to expect good 

 plants; for, as the gardener does not like to be thought extra- 

 vagant, he forbears using the remedy till the plant is past reco- 

 very : but rather let employers press on their gardener the 

 necessity of frequently using it. 



Hertfordshire, May, 1842. 



Art. VI. Carbonisation of Peat. By H. L. L. 



At the foot of the height upon which stands the Tour de Gourge, 

 in the Pays de Vaud, and adjoining the road from Cuilly to 

 Mondon, are the peat delfs of M. Weobel, who resides there. 

 "When he first bought the marsh, it was full of water ; this he 

 drained off, and then set himself to work to learn all he could 

 about the art of peat-cutting, sending for information even to 

 Scotland and Ireland. He showed me a Highland instrument 

 with the name of Mackintosh upon it; nevertheless, he objects 

 to our perpendicular way of cutting peat, and, as it is deposited 

 horizontally, so he cuts it, asserting that it holds together better 

 when cut in accordance with the grain. He has found, besides 

 other trees, an oak 6 ft. in diameter in this moss, and a vase of 

 some sort, but no bones or horns. The most interesting point is 

 his manufacture of charcoal from peat. This art he learned from 

 a French gentleman at Sunsale, M. Brevant. A sort of kiln is 



