SALT MARSHES. 23 



marslies should be dyked, namely, that the hay may be secured at 

 the proper time. Oftentimes the tides forbid cutting the grass till 

 it is too late to make good fodder ; and then in short tides if the 

 weather is unfavorable, the hay must be put up before it is in a 

 suitable condition, or be left to soak in the water. It would be 

 great economy even in securing the harvest, if the salt water 

 could be shut out at that season of the year. Then the grass 

 could be cut at the proper stage, and secured as well as other hay 

 crops. 



Much might be said in delation to the manner of constructing 

 dykes ; the material to be used, and the size and strength of them. 

 But each locality diifers so much from every other, and the 

 obstacles to be encountered and overcome are so various, that it 

 would be difficult to lay down any fixed rules to be governed by 

 in all cases. Much must be left to the skill, good judgment and 

 application of the undertaker. Care however, must be taken to 

 have a thorough examination and survey of the work to be accom- 

 plished and the end to be attained, and then a proper application 

 of those principles that govern every successful enterprise will 

 secure the desired results. The higher the dykes are to be raised, 

 the broader must they be at the base. The greater the pressure 

 to be brought against them, the stronger must they be built. In 

 all cases they must not be less than two or three feet above high 

 water mark. I have desired very much to see more of the dykes 

 and dyked marshes in this State and the Provinces, that I might 

 be able to speak from personal observation. But circumstances 

 beyond my control have prevented me, so that I have had to 

 depend mainly upon what is written^n books, and upon corres- 

 pondence and conversation. 



I have endeavored to call attention to some of the more 

 important points and facts touching this broad subject, so that 

 thoughts might be awakened that would lead to investigation, and 

 result in such action that soon those owning these marshes will set 

 themselves earnestly at work and reclaim them to higher agricul- 

 tural purposes, as I must candidly believe most of them may be, 

 thereby at least, doubling their value to their owners and adding 

 so much to the agricultural interests of the State. 



In the discussion following the reading of Mr. Scamman's paper 

 it appeared that few members were personally acquainted with 

 salt marshes, and the results of dyking, and the remarks naturally 



