FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 259 



marshes, wore trorthleas and unfit for settlement on account of fever and ague 

 and other diseases of like nature. Indeed, most of you know that to come here 

 to stay was formerly equivalent to accepting a season's siege of the same 

 disease. 



This form of disease is not now of nearly as frequent occurrence as formerly, 

 owing to tlie drainage of many of the larger swamps. Tliere may be, doubtless 

 are, many defects in our present drain laws, but do not oppose them on this 

 ground. They have accomplished too much good to be thrown away; rather 

 point out and assist to remedy these defects. 



Thus far I have spoken only of tlie influence of these lands on health, 

 because that was of the highest importance, and yet the most likely to be 

 overlooked. 



There is. however, another point from which we must look at these lands. 

 The first thought of the average farmer when approached in regard to ditching 

 these lands \^, will it pay? If we are to lay aside the question of good health 

 as a portion of the capital of a community, and consider only tiie finances of 

 the individual owner, the answer to the foregoing question will vary with sur- 

 rounding circumstances. These circumstances are, — 



!lst. The nature and value of surrounding upland. 



2d. The nature of tlie swamp itself and the cost of draining and reclaiming it. 



3d. Tlie extent and position of these lands when taken in connection with 

 other lands owned by the same individual, and the crops most profitably grown. 



With good hard land for what the first cost of ditching Avould be, and witli 

 wheat for the chief money crop, as was the case here at an early day, and still 

 is the case in many parts of the state, it is financial folly to drain the swamps; 

 but with upland cleared uj) and impoverished, though valued at a high figure, 

 •with money plenty and seeking investment at reasonable rates of interest, and 

 with good markets for the products of mixed husbandry, as is the case in the 

 older parts of the State, the capitalist will do well to carefully consider these 

 lands before seeking investment for his money elsewhere. 



In considering tliis subject we must understand that these swamp lands vary 

 in character as much as u^^land, and every farmer knows how much that is. 

 Some of them have only to be rid of the surplus water and cleared to be capable 

 of growing almost any crop, while others may be adapted only to growing 

 special crops, and still others may not grow anything for several years, or 

 even not at all until dressed witli sand, clay, lime, or other substance. So 

 that not only must the cost of draining and clearing be taken into considera- 

 tion, but their quality and productiveness after they are so reclaimed, and this 

 must largely be learned by experience and observation. The swamp tliat will 

 not produce some crop soon after it is drained is very rare indeed. 



In all swamp lands good drainage develops unexpected peculiarities. The 

 sponge-like peat with its water drawn off, settles down and develops ridges 

 here and there all over its surface, showing where the subsoil approaches near 

 to the surface. Judging from observations, I should say that on at least one- 

 third of these swamp lands a plow would, after a few years' drainage, reach 

 down through the muck and bring up the subsoil from below. 



Where, however, the muck is deep on tlie surface, and where it has received 

 no admixture of soil, either from the overflow of streams or the wash of the 

 surrounding country, the land will neither produce so large a variety of crops 

 nor CO niucii of them as where it has some other soil mixed with it. 



The fact is pure peat is deficient in plant food. This may be remedied by a 

 topdressing of some kind, such as sand, clay, lime, or even barnyard manure. 



