Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26142

Title

Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Professor Samuel W. Johnson presents a comprehensive guide to peat, detailing its formation, chemical composition, and dual utility as a fertilizer and fuel. This 1866 work offers practical agricultural advice for New England farmers and technical insights into European industrial applications, including metallurgy and gas production.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'Peat and its Uses as Fertilizer and Fuel,' Professor Samuel W. Johnson provides a comprehensive scientific and practical analysis of peat, a material formed from the slow decay of aquatic plants in water-saturated environments. The work is structured into three distinct parts, addressing the origin, chemical composition, and varied applications of this abundant natural resource. Part I explores the genesis of peat, distinguishing between swamp muck, salt mud, and different moss types. Johnson details the complex chemical composition, including organic acids, nitrogen content, and mineral ashes. He offers accessible methods for testing peat quality, warning against deleterious elements like soluble iron or vitriol, which can render the material harmful to crops or industrial processes. Part II focuses on agricultural utility. Johnson explains how peat amends soil physical properties by absorbing water and ammonia, acting as a potent fertilizer. The author includes his own experiments composting peat with manure, lime, and other materials, providing tables of Connecticut peat compositions and practical instructions for excavation and preparation. He emphasizes that while peat is valuable, its specific adaptation to local soil conditions must be verified through careful experimentation. Part III addresses peat as a fuel, comparing its heating power to wood and coal. The text discusses density, drying methods, and machinery for cutting and condensing peat to improve its efficiency. Johnson also covers metallurgical uses, such as replacing charcoal in iron smelting, and the production of illuminating gas. Throughout the work, Johnson balances caution regarding economic viability against American coal abundance with encouragement for developing domestic resources. He notes that while European methods offer a safe basis, American enterprise must adapt to local conditions. The work serves as both a rigorous scientific treatise and a practical manual for utilizing this variable but potentially invaluable resource.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-05 23:41 UTC

Categories

• Science
• Fertilizers
• Fuel