Peat 



39 



places in Berkshire county, where it is of little use, because the soil 

 already contains so much calcareous matter. It is said to have been 

 found in Lancaster, but whether in large or small quantities, is not 

 stated. Judging from the nature of the surrounding country, I ven- 

 ture to predict that it will not be found there in abundance. In Dux- 

 bury also, it occurs in considerable quantity. In Pittsfield, is a bed 

 of earthy marl, but not extensive. It is found more abundantly, it is 

 said, in Lenox ; and it exists also in Williamstown, 



Peat. 



This useful substance must be regarded as alluvial in its character, 

 since the process of its formation is now going on. It results chiefly 

 from mosses and other plants, more or less decayed. In the eastern 

 part of the State, it is found in great quantities. West of Worcester 

 it has scarcely been sought after, on account of the comparative abun- 

 dance of wood. It will probably, however, never be found so abun- 

 dantly in the western part of the State, as in the eastern. I have 

 ascertained the existence of peat in the following towns, and do not 

 doubt that it occurs in many others. There are two varieties ; the 

 fibrous and the compact. In the former, the moss, turf, and roots out 

 of which peat is formed, have not lost their fibrous structure : but in 

 the latter, they are converted into a compact and nearly homogene- 

 ous mass. 



The fibrous and compact varieties, probably exist at nearly every 

 locality. I am sure of their occurrence in Cambridge, Newton, and 

 Lexington ; and in large quantities. Peat is abundant in Seekonk, 

 Uxbridge, Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Medfield, Walpole, Wren- 

 tham, Dover, Framingham, Sudbury, Topsfield, Ipswich, and Nan- 

 tucket. * 



It exists and has been dug in greater or less quantities in Pittsfield, 

 Hadley, Leverett, Shrewsbury, Lancaster, Southborough, Hopkinton r 

 Medway, Halifax, Stoughton, Boylston, Reading, Milton, Needham, 

 Concord, Billerica, Bedford, Waltham, Watertown, Acton, Wilming- 

 ton, Danvers, Chelmsford Hamilton, and in nearly all the towns in 

 Barnstable county ; certainly in Yarmouth, Brewster, Orleans, East- 

 ham, Wellfleet, and Truro. I have marked on the map, only the 

 most important localities. 



The value of peat for fuel, is generally known ; but I apprehend 

 that it is not generally known that a still more important use may be 

 made of it in agriculture. Peat swamps in Massachusetts are com- 



