REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR AND STATE GEOLOGIST 1901 r77 



Peat fuel for regenerative gas furnaces. The Siemens regenera- 

 tive gas furnace is claimed to be applicable to peat. Ure (3:526) 

 says that, while 2J tons of peat equal one ton of coal in. 

 general practice, still, when used in Siemens, it equals 65$ Staf- 

 fordshire coal. 



Other uses of peat. Peat charcoal is good as a disinfectant and 

 deodorizer, and also used as a filtering medium for foul water 

 and sewage. The raw peat is said to have good effect on certain 

 soils, supplying much nitrogen and vegetable humus. Peat 

 ashes and peat charcoal also are valuable as manures. 



Agricultural uses of peat. Peat has a variable agricultural 

 value, being less desirable the more closely the material ap- 

 proaches purity, for in such a condition it would lack all of the 

 elements of plant food. The best results are consequently ob- 

 tained from a peat containing appreciable, quantities of mineral 

 matter, though here variation in quality occurs, depending on 

 the chemical composition of these insoluble constituents. 



Peat of high purity does not produce a productive soil with- 

 out considerable .preliminary work, for, firstly, it may be de- 

 ficient in mineral matter and, secondly, on account of the high 

 absorptive power of humus, the soil is soaked with water, pre- 

 venting the aeration of the mass. Deposits of this type are 

 usually prepared for tillage by underdrainage, and burning fol- 

 lowed by thorough plowing. 



In many instances peat bogs have been nicely adapted to the 

 cultivation of cranberries by putting a layer of sand several 

 inches thick on the surface of the peat swamp. 



Where peat deposits contain considerable mineral matter, by 

 drainage and aeration, a soil of high fertility is developed which 

 is specially valuable for the cultivation of celery and onions. 



Peat as a fertilizer. Peat is sometimes added to a soil to im- 

 prove both its chemical and physical properties. 



On account of its high absorptive power for water, it in- 

 creases the moisture of sandy soils if added to them, and, on 

 account of its dark color, it may also add warmth, since it draws 

 the heat. The temperature of a clay soil may be increased 2° 



