1 920] ' DA CH NOW SKI— PEA T-LA ND 455 





education of those concerned with the practical management of peat- 

 lands. It is this phase of the problem concerning which the least 

 has been done. 



The basic importance of the stratigraphy of peat deposits and 

 of development methods and principles in the interpretation of 

 plant remains, such as peat deposits represent; has not as yet 

 been generally recognized in this country. The investigator who 

 views products and processes from the genetic and correlational 

 standpoint has not become as prevalent in the field of peat investi- 

 gations as one might surmise, and naturally there is still wanting 

 the proper understanding of the profile structure of deposits which 

 would make possible a satisfactory coordination of scientific activi- 

 ties as well as the effective agricultural or industrial use of specific 

 pea<t-land areas. The scientific as well as the economic consequences 

 of peat deposits under utilization are only made clear by a knowledge 

 of the structure of the deposits. Not only commercial considerations 

 but also the grasp of past and present modifying field conditions, 

 the habit of regarding peat deposits from the broader scientific, 

 even though at times rather theoretical, point of view will further 

 and extend the possibilities of peat-lands. 



To obtain information on yields and cost of production, or per- 

 taining to experimental work which will permit interpretation of 

 results, there must be more definite knowledge than is available now 

 in regard to peat deposits and their materials. There is need, 

 among other things, of a comparative study of the structural fea- 

 tures of American and European peat deposits. The areas selected 

 should comprise the latest and most authoritative investigations of 

 workers in peat problems. The aim should be to state the strati- 

 graphic facts fully as the data available permit, and it should 

 include views, correlations, and, where the scope of the work war- 

 rants, advice on matters pertaining to investigations or securing 

 information in the general field of peat-land problems. 



The method of procedure in comparing profile features of peat 

 deposits should be based on the botanical composition and physical 

 appearance of the layers of peat. These furnish the information 

 that strata of a certain type occur in certain localities on the Ameri- 

 can and European continents; that they replace one another, the 



