The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-07-13
F,ssAY-NO. 81.

Observations upon Peat, directions for finding
and burning it. Selected fromDr. Eliot's essays.l
This fossil, of which many in this country have
scarcely heard the name, has long been known
in England and Ireland. 1t was formerly used
for fuel the use Of it for the purposes of manure
is new thing. Fifteen bushels OF ashes is reck-
oned sufficient for the dressing Of an acre this
quantity is thought to be as good rs forty bushels
Of that made Of wood. By the use Of these ashes
some lands in G., Britain that rented before the
application Of them, for five shillings acre,
nually, by the help ofthose ashes are much
improved as to rent for twenty shillings an acre.
As TO the formation, original, or matter Of which
peat is produced, it is reasonably supposed to be
made of the wood that grew bef5re the food. lie
Is of an unCtious bituminous nature !; some oft
when dry, resembles the thicke ned juices Of
plants.
Peat may be known from mud by its cutting
slick and smooth, and is much like as when you
cut bu tier or hogs fat in very cold weather /:
some is softer, but that which is most compact
and hardest is best If you are still at loss, dry
piece upon the slice, then put it into the fire,
its manner of burning will shew whether il be
peat. When you once know it you may always
know it, let it be of what color it WILL
1t is of three sorts, white, brown and black
the white is so called, from its being Of lighter
color than the other sorts. 1t before it be burnt,
of the color of wet ashes made Of wood, but after
Il IS burnt, is as white chalk: the ashes are
very light, therefore conclude that they are not
very strong but it yields very plentifully, being
as to appearance much after burning as it was
before it was burnt. Seven bushels of this was
scattered upon wheat, and it made corn greener
and more fresh aud lively. Other experiments
were tried with good effect. This white sort of
peat is so destitute of oily, sulphurous, bitumi-
nous matter, that 1t will not burn alone without
the assistance Of wood; but little wood will
burn great deal oft. 1t is easy to get thou
sands of bushels ofthese ashes.
Brown peat after it hath been spread and drv,
let it be shoveled up in long heap: when il is
once set on fire by little brush or small wood
laid on the windward side, it will burn Of itself,
nor will the rain put it out. lift be wet when it
is burnt, it yields fewer ashes. You must take
care not to burn it two fast restrain the fire by
putting on more peat, but fyou stfle il too much
In the middle, instead of ashes, you will have
charcoal This sort of peat shrinks much. in
drying and in the burning, not yieling much
ashes !; but the ashes Of reddish colour and
heavy, and consequently better than the white
sort. This sort makes excellent ehareval better
than that made of wood
The third sort is the blackish peat This is 4
supposed to be the best aifording plenty of ash
Is, and better than either Of the preceding This
is that they make use Of in England to burn, in
order with ats ashes TO manure their land Its
not known whether they have any other sort ex-
cept turf peat, which is not properly peat but
hbrous complication Of moss roots.
II Is supposed that peat may be found in all
parts of the country, yea ali over the world /:
which Is an evidence Of the care, wisdom and
goodness Of providence in preserving as it were
IN pickle, the wood which grew before the Hood
for our use, and that the ruins fthe old world
shOulH liz he a A.
ent. Such Is an abstract of DIR. Eliot's remarks
upon peat. This writer, it will be recollected. |
was native OF Connecticut; and in his time
(about sixty years since,) it appears this fossil
was highly priced in that state The exneri-
epce OF so many years since, must have added TO
the knowledge of peat, but if 50, we DO not pos
sess information Sufficient to enable us to com
municate any thing more Of Importance at pres
ent but leave this to be done BY others