On the Improvement of Peat Soils. 



393 



proportions of their constituents. The following analysis of a 

 specimen of an entirely barren peat moss in a perfectly dry state 

 will give the farmer a tolerable idea of their general compo- 

 sition : — 



Fine siliceovis sand .... 29 parts. 



Inert vegetable matter . . . 289 „ 



Alumina . . . . . 14 „ 



Oxide of iron . . , . 30 



Sokible vegetable matter, with some sulphate of potash 11 „ 

 Sulphate of lime (gypsum) . . . 12 „ 



Loss , . , . . 15 



400 



Such is the composition of a barren peat moss. The analysis 

 of an active or fertile peat moss, with which it will be well to 

 compare it, gave the following results, after being also dried in a 

 gentle heat : — 



Fine siliceous sand 

 Unaltered vegetable fibre . 

 Decomposing vegetable matter 

 Silica (flint) 

 Alumina (clay) . 

 Oxide of iron 

 Soluble vegetable and saline matter 

 Muriate of lime . 

 Loss 



156 parts 



2 „ 



110 „ 



102 „ 



16 „ 



4 » 



4 „ 



4 „ 



2 „ 



400 „ 



Such is the usual chemical composition of peat. This, how- 

 ever, is occasionally varied by the presence of other substances, 

 but the above sketch will afford a tolerably correct view of its 

 ordinary properties ; and this kind of knowledge will very mate- 

 rially aid the farmer in proceeding to examine the mode in which 

 the composition of such soils may be altered so as to be rendered 

 tenantable by useful varieties of plants. 



The most common delusion in which the possessors of peat 

 soils are apt to indulge is the belief in the possibility of render- 

 ing them permanently productive without either previous drainage 

 or the application of earth. The melancholy attempts of this 

 kind which I have witnessed on the peat land of various parts of 

 England, especially in timber planting, can only excite the pity 

 of those who witness the effects of such misspent time and money. 

 The young trees too, which are most commonly employed in 

 these ill-judged attempts, are usually of the fir tribe, precisely the 

 kind the least adapted to prosper in a bog of water and peat. 

 Common reflection would suggest that, if any kind of trees could 



