Extent and distribution. — Peat is extensively developed in
Dane County, and is widely distributed throughout the glaciated
region. The largest areas occur in the northeastern part oJ; the
county in Burke, Sun Prairie, Medina, York, Deerfield, Cottage
Grove, and Blooming Grove Townships. Smaller areas are en-
countered in the southeastern, southcentral, and extreme north-
western sections.
Description. — The soil mapped as Peat consists of black or
dark-brown vegetable matter in varying stages of decomposition,
with which there is incorporated a small percentage of mineral
matter. It ranges in depth from 2 to about 20 feet, with an av-
erage of probablj^ 5 feet. The greater part of the Peat is quite
fibrous, though in a number of places it is faii-ly well decom-
posed and tenacious, so that it can be molded into different forms
by the hands. When dry this well-decom])Osed Peat somewhat
resembles a black carbonaceous clay. Where encountered in
areas of sandy soils the underlying material is frecinently sandy,
while in regions of heavy upland soils the underlying material
is clayey in character. Most of the aivas of Peat are underlain
by material as heavy as a loam or heavier. The lai'jjrest areas
underlain by sand occur in the valley of the Wisconsin Ri\er in
the northwestern part of the county. In this region there are
a few small sand * islands'* in the Peat ai'cas and in places the
underlying sand is nearer the surfnee than usual. Praetically
all of the other large Peat marshes witliiii the county are under-
lain by heavy material.
