06 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 
débris of decomposed aquatic or marsh plants. That formed from moss 
is of the best quality, and it is very abundant in the granitic regions of 
the northern United States. Muck is peaty matter mixed with soil, and 
is consequently less valuable than the pure article. Peat ripens with 
age or advancement in decomposition, and is thus comparatively heavy 
and dense, and appears pitchy. Its value increases with age. This sub- 
stance may make a good fuel; but especially it is susceptible, under 
proper treatment, of becoming a valuable fertilizer. It absorbs and re- 
tains water and ammonia, promotes the disintegration of the rocks, ren- 
ders light soils more productive by its application, and acts as a direct 
fertilizer. 
Those who have experimented with this material, and compared its 
properties with those of ordinary stable manures, find that it usually car- 
ries, in a given amount, one third more organic matter, an equal amount 
of lime and nitrogen, but is deficient in potash, magnesia, phosphoric and 
sulphuric acids. These deficiencies may be remedied by adding to 100 
pounds of fresh peat one pound of commercial potash, or five pounds of 
unleached wood ashes, one pound of good superphosphate, or one pound 
each of bone-dust and plaster of Paris. In view of the small amount 
and the cheapness of the materials to be added to peat to make it equal 
to stable manure, it seems as if the farms of New Hampshire might be 
greatly enriched at a very small expense. The peat of various localities 
requires different degrees of amendment; and therefore only the general 
rule given above can be stated to show what ought to be done. Samples 
should be sent to a chemist for special analysis by those who wish to 
utilize the article. 
Without speaking exhaustively, we have a few notes about peat in dif- 
ferent localities, which may be of service in giving some idea of the great 
abundance of the deposit in every section of the state. The facts from 
the extreme north were furnished by Mr. Huntington, and others are 
copied from Mr. Upham’s note-book. 
Bogs and peat swamps are very numerous in northern New Hampshire. They are 
found in every town, and are often of great extent. Sometimes they present a broad 
area, without the vestige of a tree or shrub, except along their borders, and this area 
is covered with a luxuriant growth of grass (Calamagrostis Canadensis). One of the 
largest of this kind is a mile and a half west of Second lake, at the head of Bay brook, 
