CORRELATION WORK IN PEAT-LAND PROBLEMS 



A. P. D ACHNOWSKI 



A detailed account has recently been published by the writer 

 showing for the first time the different types of plant organic 



in 



area of this country. 1 

 It was pointed out 



lm 



the botanical composition of the different types of peat material 

 and its corresponding physical, chemical, bacteriological; or other 



■ 



merits. Research of preliminary character along these lines on 

 at least two distinct types of peat was reported in 191 2. 2 



More extended field work, including peat in the southern states 



* 



and the Pacific Coast, not only has confirmed that further research 

 in these directions would be very desirable, but emphasized that 

 it is precisely this information upon different types of peat material 

 which supplies the essential criteria concerning the development 

 and structure of peat deposits. Moreover, the facts are of funda- 

 mental importance also in the selection of workable tracts and in 

 questions relating to the best means and practices of utilizing this 

 source of national wealth for intensive or diversified agricultural 

 and industrial purposes. 



Peat deposits afford a large and profitable scope for a com- 

 bination of scientifically directed industrialism and agriculture. 

 They are an important national asset for fuel and power, for food 

 and for certain products, and their best development will come 

 when industries move to or near well-chosen, interconnected accu- 

 mulations of peat, in order to insure a regular and continuous supply 

 of different materials and to meet the demands of different markets. 

 A great advantage would result from a better understanding of peat 



1 Dachnowski, A. P., Quality and value of important types of peat material. 

 U.S. Dept, Agric, Bull. 802, 1919. 



2 , Peat deposits of Ohio. Geol. Survey Ohio Bull. 16., pp. 424. pis. 8 Jigs. 2g. 



In cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Mines, 19 12. 



453) 



[Botanical Gazette, vol. 70 



