Ill 



I have eight hands now at work, who expect to work at it nearly all winter, 

 and have engaged four more, who are now in the employ of others, to com- 

 mence early next spring — all experienced ditchers, and fond of the business. 



I entertain a high opinion of these marsh lands, and indeed of nearly all the 

 wet lands in the State. With a few exceptions they can be made the best lands 

 we have. They however, require some capital, and a good deal of patient 

 industry to subdue them. To the man of limited means and energy, they are 

 in the main, nseless, even if given to him. That class want something for im- 

 mediate use, which they cannot find in these lands. Hence nothing is to be 

 gained by reducing the price, or urging them into market beyond the wants of 

 those who will improve them. To that class the present price is no substantial 

 objection. There is however a substantial hinderance to their sale, and to the 

 improvement of these lands generally, which needs legislation. 



To improve our marsh lands well, cannot be done without a considerable out- 

 lay in money or labor, and when so improved adds a permanent value to adjoin- 

 ing lands as well as our own. The owner of adjoining lands are often absent, or 

 unwilling if present, to join in the expense even where the parties may be 

 equally benefitted. Now in this age of quid pro quo, there are but few, who are 

 willing to add fifty or one hundred or any other per cent, to land not their own, 

 without some compensation. Yet in this kind of improvement they must do 

 80, or do nothing ; and there are a number of cases in this county where men have 

 declined, and others suspended improvements, which they wished to make, rather 

 than make them under such circumstances. In some cases this objection is partially 

 overcome by enlarging the tract we wish to improve. But this cannot always 

 be done, even by those who wish to do so — nor are all able who would, and this 

 latter class are the greatest sufferers. 



Remove these objections by jnst and efficient legislation, and you will add 

 milUons annually to the value of your assessment roll, say nothing of the good 

 effect it would have upon the general health of the State. 



A number of our citizens have been buying swamp lands of the State 

 with a view of improving them ; or rather they have made their selec- 

 tions and have deposited their money at the land office at Winamac, with the 

 understanding that such selections would be confirmed, so soon as some pre- 

 liminary questions, apparently of small moment, were settled at the general 

 land office. I am of that number, and owing to the delay, feel some little con- 

 cern about it — the more so as I am engaged in improving a portion of them. 

 On this subject however, you are no doubt well advised, and will do whatever 

 is right in the premises. 



I was prevented from meeting with you in May last ; but hope to meet with 

 the Board in January. The agricultural heat not is quite so high among us as I 

 would like to see it, though we have organized a society, and I hope to have a 

 a very efficient associate on the State Board, in the person of its president, Wm. 

 Allen. 



Very respectfully, yours &,c., 



JOSEPH ORR. 

 His Excellency, J. A. Wright. 



