r60 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Analyses of peat from different localities will naturally show 

 a considerable variation, specially in the mineral contents or in- 

 soluble matter, which they may contain, but this is easily under- 

 stood when we consider the origin of peat. Many ponds are fed 

 by streams which are muddy and therefore carry a large amount 

 of sediment in suspension, while other streams entering a pond 

 where peat is forming ma} 7 be quite clear. The quantity of 

 mineral matter, such as sand, silt or clay, which peat may con- 

 tain is very variable, and materially affects its uses. Peat con- 

 taining a high percentage of mineral matter is usually spoken of 

 as muck. When peat contains little mineral matter, its fuel 

 value is important, but when much is present then it is of 

 greater value agriculturally. The plant species which formed 

 the peat, also influences the length and toughness of the peat 

 fibers. But these questions will be discussed in more detail 

 later. 



The percentage of mineral matter in peat may vary from 1# 

 to 30$. For purposes other than agricultural it should not ex- 

 ceed 7$ or 8$. The average composition 1 after deducting the 

 mineral residue and recalculating is : carbon 52$ to 56$, hydrogen 

 4.7$ to 7.4 $, oxygen 28$ to 39$, nitrogen 1.5$ to 3$. Even in the 

 ash of peat there may be considerable chemical variation. John- 

 son 2 , gives the following analyses of peat ashes; 1 being from 

 Poquonnock Ct., 2 from Colebrook Ct., and 3 from Guilford Ct. 



1 2 3 



Potash .69 .8 3.46 



Soda .58 trace 



Lime 40.52 35.59 6.Q 



Magnesia 6.06 4.92 1.05 



Ferric oxid and alumina 5.17 9.08 15.59 



Phosphoric acid .5 .77 1.55 



Sulfuric acid 5.52 10.41 4.04 



Chlorin .15 .43 .7 



Soluble silica ' 8.23 1.4 



Carbonic acid '. 19.6 22.88 ) 



Sand 12.11 15.04. 



Ontario Bureau of Mines. Rep't. 1891. p. 181. 

 2 Peat and its Uses, p. 24. 



