RECLAIMED PEAT SOILS AND THEIR AGRICULTURAL IMPORTANCE

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Abstract
The peat soil areas of the Netherlands roughly fall into 3 classes. When properly reclaimed some of them have a high agricultural value. In reclaiming them it is essential to know whether they are high-peat areas cut away or low-peat areas dug off. Each of the 3 classes of peat presents a special problem in the reclamation process. In the 1st class the peat has largely disappeared leaving lakes imbedded in clay. Once the lakes are drained this clay makes valuable farm land. The 2d class consists of a thin layer of peat overlying clay. The peat is mixed with the clay. This also makes good agric. land. The 3d class consists of thick layers of peat overlying clay. In this case the surface of the peat is leveled and the coarse material removed. This land is suitable for pasture. When this peat is covered with sand to a depth of ca. 12 cm. it provides productive "dalgronden" or reclaimed high peat. The "dalgronden" are used mainly for cultivated crops and are especially known for high yields of potatoes, rye and oats.

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