A SYSTEM OF AQUATIC FARMING 9 1 



as may have the greatest value in the particular localities. By these 

 methods we should avoid the loss incident upon constant drainage of 

 water, secure an unfailing irrigation for crops cultivated in the land 

 portion, secure a valuable source of fertility, and at the same time a 

 valuable aquatic crop. Systems of this character, however, would be 

 gradually developed and modified to suit conditions of particular 

 localities. 



A recent number of the National Geographic Magazine gives the 

 areas of swamp lands in the United States (not including Alaska) at 

 sixty millions of acres, almost entirely in the humid regions of the 

 Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley. 



A bulletin issued later by the U. S. Department of Agriculture 

 gives an estimate of 77,000,000 of acres for swamp and overflowed lands 

 and claims a possible reclamation of practically this entire area. 



Both of these authors put great stress upon the wealth to be gained 

 by the drainage of this area, and discuss some of the great national 

 and state projects already in view, but no hint is given by either that 

 any part of this vast area could be put to useful service except by dis- 

 posing of the water. 



