South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-08-30
NATIONAL EXPERTS
ADDRESS MEETING
OF PEAT SOCIETY
Speakers Point Out Agricul-
tural Worth of Muck Lands
of the Country.
BY WAITER j. VINCENT.

Impaired transportation facilities.
due to railway strike conditions. was
reflected in the attendance at the
opening session OF the 18th annual
convention of the American Peat So
ciety which opened at the Chamber
of Commerce Tuesday morning.
Only about half of the members.
expected from various PARTS of the
United States had arrived when
Mayor Eli Seebirt extended the city's
welcomes:
II am especially pleased" he said
ito greet for this city men who are
interested in the development and
upbuilding of agriculture"
Reviews Peat Growth.
The mayor pointed out that the
great growth OF the community will
cause a need of upbuuding Of the
soil in order to economically feed
the citizens OF this community. Civ
ing a brief review OF peat in this
vicinity. he said:
Twenty years ago we considered
our muck lands as impossible. Large
acreages could be bought for a mere
song. but through research and
scientific study these lands have
been developed until now they are
the most valuable possessions from
a point Of fertility that we have.
Myron w. Robinson. president Of
the society and also president of the
Crex Carpet Co. of New York re-
sponded warmly to the mayors
greeting. He assured him the society
was glad TO be here and was great
~ pleased at the splendid program
Of welcome, and sightseeing that
had been arranged by the Chamber
of Commerce.
Talks I'm Detail.
He then introduced ex-president
John n Hoff. who read a paper on
Peat as a Fertilizer"
Anyone considering turning peat
into commercial fertilizer should not
do so unless it contains at least three
percent ammonia on a 10 percent
moisture basis" he said, "as II will
not be a paying proposition"
Mr.. Hotf went into detail regard
ing the various ramifcations Of pro-
spoke its many commercial uses.
Ezra Levin, director or bureau OF
agricultural development, Michigan,
spoke on Factors Underlying the
Settlement OF Peat Lands"
According to Mr.. Levin there must
be land certlhcatIon in order that
persons seeking 10 establish them
selves on muck lands may know
positively in advance Just what the
proposed land will produce.
This can be done, according 10
Mr.. Levin. only by actual tests.
Economic as well as marketing
conditions must also be taken into
consideration when taking 10 new
land in new territory, he said
He deplored the fact the govern
ment was considering appropriating
millions OF dollars for irrigation
work IN the west. when with proper
financing laws, thousands OF acres
OF virgin land OF high producing
qualities in Michigan could be clear
ed and put into cultivation az a very
small expenditure
Al the afternoon session more in
teresting papers we're read relative
10 the peat Industry.
Use For Farm Crop.
8. d. Conner Of Purdue universe
~ spoke on the use OF muck soils
for general farm crops He pointed
out that there were few general
farm crops which could not be pro-
fitsbly grown upen muck sole pro-
vidins the proper amc unit OF phos-
phate and potash were applied. A.
high a. 42s bushels Or potatoes and
700 bushels OF onions have been
grown on muck land IA Indiana. ac-
cOrding 10 Mr.. Conner
J. II. Beatt!e. speaking in place
Of his brother, w. II BaattiA, sxtsn-
sion hortlcuituriFt, bureau Of plant