376 



MARSHES AND WET PRAIRIE, 



characterize the plains, or whole central portion of the county, compris- 

 ing nearly one-fourth their surface. They prevail under several modifi- 

 cations, and may be classed as the larger or vi^et prairie, occupying fre- 

 quently an extent of several miles, and the smaller, or swales, seldom 

 exceeding an area of 20 acres. They differ also in character, according 

 to the nature of their substratum. The latter class have generally a 

 subsoil of clay, with a covering of peat or muck, deepening proportion- 

 ally to its extent. Its average is one foot. They afford a coarse grass, 

 (a species of Carex,) much relished by cattle. Where the substratum 

 is sand, a small wiry species generally prevails, considered of inferior 

 quality. Beneath this sand stratum, however, clay will, without doubt, 

 be found at no great depth. 



Prairies of much greater extent occupy a large portion of the town 

 of Ida, the southern part of Summerfield, and the eastern part of 

 "Whiteford. About five sections of the latter townships are of this char- 

 acter, nine sections in Summerfield, and eighteen in Ida. The soil is a 

 fibrous peat, of one to two feet, and occasionally much greater depth, 

 generally reposing upon sand. It produces a rank growth of wild grass 

 bnt little valued. 



These marshes are portions of a connected chain, and have outlets 

 discharging into considerable streams. Facilities thus exist for render- 

 ing them available to agriculture by a proper system of drainage, and 

 at comparatively inconsiderable expense. The experiment has been 

 made to some extent in the town of Whiteford, and a tolerable soil for 

 tillage produced. A crop of wheat is said to have been grown upon the 

 tract known as " White's marsh." But it should not be cause for dis- 

 couragement if several years are required to test fully the value of 

 such experiments. No such cause will exist when the nature of the 

 soil to be dealt with is properly understood. 



Similar marshes exist around the head branches of Swan Creek, in 

 Exeter, uniting with those described in town of Huron, Wayne county. 

 They are supposed to occupy one half of the surface of the township 

 north of Stony Creek. 



Small ponds of the lily and other aquatic plants, are numerous upon 

 these prairies. A large proportion of the prairies and swales are dry 

 only at midsummer. 



