No. _I_, is the analysis of Peat; No. _II_, that of well rotted stable manure:--
_I._ _II._ Water expelled at 212 degrees. 79.000 79.00 { Soluble in dilute solution } Org. { of carbonate of soda. 7.312 } Matter. { Insoluble in solution } 14.16 { of carbonate of soda. 12.210 } Potash. 0.010 0.65 Soda. 0.009 Lime. 0.608 0.57 Magnesia. 0.091 0.19 Phosphoric acid. 0.008 0.23 Sulphuric acid. 0.082 0.27 Nitrogen. 0.600 0.55 Matters, soluble in water. 0.450 4.42
To make the comparison as just as possible, the peat is calculated with the same content of water, that stable dung usually has.
We observe then, that the peat contains in a given quantity, _about one-third more organic matter, an equal amount of lime and nitrogen_; but is _deficient in potash, magnesia, phosphoric and sulphuric acids_.
The deficiencies of this peat in the matter of composition may be corrected, as regards potash, by adding to 100 lbs. of it 1 lb. of potash of commerce, or 5 lbs. of unleached wood-ashes; as regards phosphoric and sulphuric acids, by adding 1 lb. of good superphosphate, or 1 lb. each of bone dust and plaster of Paris.
In fact, the additions just named, will convert _any fresh peat_, containing not more than 80 _per cent._ of water and not less than 20 _per cent._ of organic matter, into a mixture having as much fertilizing matters as stable dung, with the possible exception of nitrogen.
It is a fact, however, that two manures may reveal to the chemist the same composition, and yet be very unlike in their fertilizing effects, because their conditions are unlike, because they differ in their degrees of solubility or availability.
As before insisted upon, it is true in general, that peat is more slow of decomposition than yard-manure, and this fact, which is an advantage in an amendment, is a disadvantage in a fertilizer. Though there may be some peats, or rather swamp mucks, which are energetic and rapid in their action, it seems that they need to be applied in larger quantities than stable manure in order to produce corresponding fertilizing effects. In many cases peat requires some preparation by weathering, or by chemical action--"fermentation"--induced by decomposing animal matters or by alkalies. This topic will shortly be discussed.