Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Bog

BOG, a quagmire covered with grass, but not firm enough to support a heavy body.

Various theories have been started, to account for the formation of bogs; but the most probable is, that they have originated from the roots of trees, and other decayed vegetables. Under some bogs of considerable depth, are to be seen the furrows of land once ploughed. The black bog is a solid, weighty substance, which cuts like butter, and is similar to rotten wood: but the red bog is of a lighter texture, though under it there is commonly a solid black stratum, which makes good fuel. Sound trees are found in both sorts of bogs, particularly in those of Ireland, which differ from the English, as the former sometimes present a perfect scenery of hill and dale, while the latter are mostly of a level surface. Of the most common spontaneous growth are, heath, bog-myrtle, rushes, and sedgy grass. Bogs are of various depths, some being found to be fifty feet deep, and others still deeper. A good method of draining boggy lands is, by deep trenches partly filled with stones, and covered with thorns and straw. A quantity of hard, dry earths, such as gravels, sands, chalks, stones, &c. is of great use in the improvement of bogs, as these substances serve to bind, fatten, and warm the soil, while they prevent springs from oozing up and overflowing the surface. By this method, boggy or marshy grounds may be improved so as to produce good grass.