152 



Utilisation of Peat Land. 



[JUNE, 



The richness in nitrogen of low marshy moorland makes any 

 addition of nitrogenous manures generally unnecessary, and it 

 is the natural stores of nitrogen which make the cultivation of 

 this type of land so advantageous'. Upland moor, on the other 

 hand, is apt to be very poor. The content of both in phos- 

 phoric acid and potash is small, but lime is generally unnecessary 

 though it is useful in some cases to sweeten the soil and hasten 

 decomposition. Experiments in Germany have shown that its 

 place, especially in the early years, can well be taken by basic slag. 



In soils poor in nitrogen, farmyard manure supplemented 

 by nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia is recommended ; 

 the dung brings with it bacteria, which, as these soils are 

 generally very poor in micro-organisms, are of value. As 

 regards phosphoric acid, basic slag is found to be the most 

 useful manure, though superphosphate may also be used. 

 Potash may be supplied in the form of kainit. The land requires 

 manuring annually, and the following figures are given by Dr. 

 Bersch as indicating the limits of the quantities usually neces- 

 sary :— 





Low Moorland. 



Upland Moor. 



1st Year. 



2nd Vear. 



1st Year. 



2nd Year. 



3rd Year. 



Pounds per acre. 



Phosphoric acid... 



Potash 



Nitrogen 



90-135 

 1 10-180 



55-90 

 70-1 10 



180-270 

 180-270 

 45-68 



90-180 

 90-180 

 27-45 



45-55 

 90-180 



27-45 



Moorland naturally requires somewhat heavy manuring, 

 w r hich must be given in the spring as the heavy winter rains 

 would wash it away if applied in autumn. On the upland moors 

 the first crop selected, both m Bavaria and Austria, is potatoes, 

 which give a high yield and leave the field clean, while the 

 hoeing which the crop receives much contributes to a good tilth.* 

 In the first year the manure applied per acre represents 180 lb. 

 to 270 lb. phosphoric acid, the same amount of potash, and 

 68 to 90 lb. nitrogen. The superphosphate and potash is 

 spread broadcast before planting, and the nitrate of soda is given 



See " Bayerns Moore und ihre Kultur." Fiihling's Landtv. Zcitung, June 15, 1906. 



