No. KH.J 
71 
perfluoiis to mention localities; in fact, it may be found on alm^ 
every square mile. This substance is much used for fuel, and fo. 
burning lime and bricks, in many parts of the world; and is com- 1 
iuiX into general use as a fuel in some parts of New-England, where ^ 
wuod and coal are expensive. 
The value of peat grounds is not yet fully appreciated; but 
when this combustible shall come into use, as it soon will, owaiers 
of those peat lands which are convenient to a market, must realize 
a large amount; and it should be remembered, that these grounds, 
when dug over, are not exhausted like a coal mine, but in a few 
years, if properly managed, will be renovated, and afford a new 
supply. A peat meadow, with a thickness of only three feet, will 
give more than one thousand cords per acre. This combustible 
may be furnished at so low a rate, that the poor may have an abun- 
dance of fuel. The odour of peat is unpleasant to some persons, 
but not more so than that of bituminous coal. Peat is usually cut 
,out in pieces, like bricks, by a kind of spade with a raised edge on 
one side, and is then dried like unbaked bricks, and afterwards 
stacked or housed for use. 
In many parts of the district, wood is so dear, that it is a very 
large item of the expense in burning bricks and lime. Peat, with 
proper management, may in many places be substituted, with 
greatly increased profits to the manufacturer. 
Peat is sometimes used for manure, but it should not be used 
where it is of such quality as to be useful for fuel. The best me- 
thod of preparing peat for manure, is to rot it with lime in the barn- 
yard, or in the compost heap. Peat is not confined to fresh water 
lakes and marshes, but also abounds in those which are salt. On 
Long Island, most of the salt marshes contain peat; but a large 
proportion of that which has come under my observation, is of an 
inferior quality. 
Shell Marl. 
This deposite, so very useful on many soils as a manure, is con- 
tinually forming. It is abundant in some parts of the district, more 
particularly in that which forms the valley of the Hudson. It occurs 
in those ponds, swamps and meadows, which are fed by springs 
containing lime, or which serve as receptacles for the surface wa- 
ters flowing over calcareous materials. It is a matter of common 
