38 



NEW YORK STATE ^IUSEU:^r 



From this it would appear that 2 tons of peat are equal in fuel 

 value to 1 ton of Newcastle coal. 



PART 3 



Economic value of swamps 

 In addition to peat, many valuable materials are found in 

 greater or less abundance in different swamps; and some of the 

 more valuable of these and their uses are mentioned with the 

 discussion of the uses of peat. 



Timber. The first product that is of utility in many of the 

 swamps is the large supply of timber. Many of these tracts are 

 covered with a dense growth of white cedar, while others furnish 

 large quantities of maple, biTch, elm and ash. The growth of 

 trees is so rapid that with a little care a continuous supply of 

 good timber might be secured. For such a use of the swamps, 

 only the wood that has reached its maturity should be cut, thus 

 allowing the half grown trees to become of value. The usual 

 practice of cutting every tree, whether large or small, greatly 

 de])reciates the value of any swamp as a timber producer. 



Marsh grass and cat-tails. Large crops of marsh hay are taken 

 from some of the salt marshes, and this material finds a good 

 market as a packing material. In some swamps the growth of 

 cat-tails is so luxuriant that they are cut and prepared for use in 

 tight cooperage. 



Moss litter. In sphagnum swamps two kinds of peat are gen- 

 erally recognized, the light, fibrous, undecomposed upper layers 

 known as fibrous peat and the compact, pulpy lower layers which 

 are more thoroughly decomposed and form the i)eat proper. The 

 upper portion, which consists of matted roots and dead mosses 

 and grasses, is often known as moss litter. Decomposition has 

 not advanced to such a stage that the vegetable fibers have lost 

 their strength; and, on account of its strength and property of 

 absorbing large quantities of liquids and gases, it is extensively 

 used in various industries both in this country and Europe. 

 Usually the moss litter does not extend for more than two feet 

 below the surface, though in swamps that are in colder climates 

 the decomposition may never begin. 



