2 BULLETIN 802, U. S. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. 



bilities, and which vary greatly according to regional distribution 

 and topographic features, even in the same deposit. Not only a proper 

 understanding by the layman appears to be wanting, but the neces- 

 sary scientific foundation is still lacking in this country which would 

 deal with the differences in botanical composition of the various peat 

 materials and their corresponding physicai, chemical, and other char- 

 acteristics of practical importance to the farmer, the technician, the 

 manufacturer, and the scientist as well. A recognition of these differ- 

 ences, it is believed, would emphasize to those using peat land the 

 inherent possibilities and limitations of the organic materials. From 

 the standpoint of the State agencies and local investigators this is a 

 specific problem of an urgent character underlying the sound and 

 rational use of such land. Neither the selection of peat deposits of 

 practical value for certain crops or for specific technical purposes 

 nor the close correlation which exists between the botanical composi- 

 tion of the different peat materials and its corresponding physical, 

 chemical, cultural, economic, or other merits can be attempted suc- 

 cessfully until consideration is given to the important types of this 

 material found in this country. 



It is precisely this information which would enable one to form 

 a correct judgment concerning the structural profile of peat deposits 

 which accumulate tmd^r the widely differing climatic, topographic, 

 geologic, and vegetational conditions of this country; and it is this 

 aspect of the problem that would supply the essential criteria con- 

 cerning the manner of developing a peat area for specific agricultural 

 or technical purposes, or for a combination of agriculture with a 

 varied manufacturing utilization, where under the pressure of stren- 

 uous circumstances this development must needs be centralized near 

 a source of supply of raw material to insure financial success. 



If we attempt to formulate the status of peat investigations in the 

 United States and compare it with that of Holland, Sweden, Austria, 

 or Germany ; if we appraise in these countries and our own the degree 

 of success in utilizing the various types of this material directly ap- 

 plicable to certain forms of agriculture or to economic industries ; or 

 if we compare the respective results of scientific investigations and 

 the literature on the subject, based upon well-established, definitely 

 described classes of deposits or groups of peat material, we shall have 

 to acknowledge that we are far behind the position we ought now 

 to occupy by right of resources and opportunities. The lack of in- 

 formation on which a wise decision should be based and the absence 

 of any prospect of continuous or satisfactory returns have led in 

 many places to a lack of confidence and to the abandonment of at- 

 tempts to bring peat-land areas to a profit-yielding basis. 



On the continent of Europe much effort is now devoted to encour- 

 aging the development of distinct classes of peat land. Good and 



