610 GEOLOGY OF OHIO. 



ter likewise add to its fertility. Corn flourishes upon it to a surprising 

 degree. 



The third, in regard to its importance or extent of distribution, is a 

 kind of dark gray or ashen soil, for which I think the term turf, in a 

 specific sense, might be very properly applied. It is of a very superficial 

 character, and is particularly characteristic of newly-cleared forest lands, 

 and such tracts as are of a low but dry nature. Really it might be classed 

 as a clayey soil, but the long growth of vegetation and toils of insect life 

 have changed its character somewhat, and adapted it for the growth of a 

 difi'erent and more varied class of produce. Of these might be gnumer- 

 ated the sweet and Irish potato, pumpkins, squashes, beans, and many of 

 the lesser grains. 



The fourth kind are the peat deposits, which embrace sm^ll patches here 

 and there over the surface of the county. Immediately overlying the 

 Niagara limestone on the land of Mr. Dicky, near Weaver's Station, rest 

 from two to three feet of excellent peat. It is remarkable to see the native 

 rock and rich deposits of decayed vegetable matter in such juxtaposition,- 

 ■ and it may not be improper to suggest here that, when this superimposed 

 peat is removed for the purpose of quarrying the stone, it should, by all 

 means, be distributed upon the more exhausted or higher clay lands. 

 While there are yet such extensive forests spread over the county, it 

 would hardly be practicable to use it as fuel. Its proper mission here is 

 that of a fertilizer. 



In Mud Creek Prairie, just south-west of Greenville, which was formerly 

 a lake almost or quite to its source in Harrison township, are quite ex- 

 tensive deposits of peat. At Bridge Creek, about one and one-half miles 

 south-east of Greenville, it covers also considerable area. Along the 

 Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, numerous other places 

 might be cited where it occurs, but this is not necessary. In many places 

 it has been cultivated, and produces some fine corn and tobacco. In Mud 

 Creek Prairie it is employed by Knox & Sater, of Greenville, for the culti- 

 vation of willows for wicker-work. This neglect can hardly be regarded 

 otherwise than as an irreparable waste of a rich fertilizer. No fertil- 

 izing to speak of has as yet been resorted to in the county, and I con- 

 cede that there has been no great need of it thus far. However, the 

 productive power of the soil is not infinite. Tillage ean not always 

 go on without recuperation. This axiom, I think, the people will be 

 f jrced to see before another score of harvests pass by. 



