The natural and agricultural history of peat-moss or turf-bog. To which are annexed corroborative writings, correspondence and observations... / by Andrew Steele.

  • Steele, Andrew.
Date:
1826
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The natural and agricultural history of peat-moss or turf-bog. To which are annexed corroborative writings, correspondence and observations... / by Andrew Steele. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the heap, and carefully mixed with fresh dung of any sort, makes an excellent compost. 1 have ex¬ amined dunghils of this sort, and found the peat- turf in them well rotted. It is proper to he observed, that the fomenting heat of such compost-dunghils should, perhaps, never be allowed to exceed 55° of Fahrenheit’s ther¬ mometer, because, otherwise, the mass is apt to be too much dried and wasted. This heat is sufficient for rotting every organized matter; and when a dunghil exceeds it, it should be turned over. Peat-turf, also, when mixed into a compost with hot lime, called sometimes lime-shells, seems to fall into nearly the same state as when fermented with stable- dung ; and composts of both these sorts are used by farmers as excellent manures to their cultivated fields. More, however, on the subject of compost- dunghils containing a proportion of peat-turf, will be found in the Appendix. Peat-earth alone, and particularly that which lies near the bottom of a peat-bog, and which is more easily pulverized than what is nearer the surface, is sometimes made use of successfully as a manure for opening strong clays,—for rendering sandy and gra¬ velly grounds more retentive of moisture,—or for