354 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



little larger surface we save the expense of the ditch and bank above referred 

 to. In ordinary seasons, after the spring rains are taken care of, there will be 

 no punijiing to do. 



Now for our plans and expectations for the future. We think our plans 

 carried out will provide effectually for a thorough drainage, and we have no 

 misgivings as to the quality and productiveness of the soil. After completing 

 our small ditches, we discontinued our pumping, allowing our large ditch again 

 to fill with water. As soon as warm weather commences we intend to start 

 our pumps and empty the ditches before the snow melts. The water flows- 

 freely through our small ditches, so we expect to keep it down and have our 

 lands fit for cultivation as soon as the njilands arc. With the drainage we 

 have through the small ditches, much of our higher land is fit for cultivation 

 without any pumping. In the spring we intend to commence ploughing on 

 that, and continue our operations as the land becomes dry enough, and put in 

 such crops as shall indicate the greatest profit by production, or in subduing 

 the turf for future cultivation. We do not expect large crops for the first or 

 second year. 



Our intentions are to stock down a large portion of it as soon as the soil is 

 in fit condition, to such grasses as will be profitable for stock feeding. On 

 some of the lowest part of our land, which is covered with a heavy growth of 

 reeds and rushes, we shall try the experiment of burning, and harrowing in 

 grass seed without ploughing. 



From Avhat I have written of the past and present condition of the Saginaw 

 marshes, it will be seen that they are of very little practical value without 

 further improvement. All the profit that has ever been derived from them is 

 the cutting of a small amount of wild grass for hay, and that practice has 

 been nearly discontinued as the uplands become cleared. But I anticipate a 

 different state of things for the future. I believe that every acre of ground 

 between Bay City and Saginaw is capable of producing the largest crops that 

 can be grown in this latitude. It is now half a century since the Saginaw 

 country first became known to the whites, but the marshes between Bay City 

 and Saginaw present a less pleasing view to the beholder than they did when 

 the eye of the white man first glanced over the broad expanse. But I believe 

 that whoever passes over our thoroughfares between the towns above mentioned 

 fifty years hence, will be presented with far different views. Instead of the 

 nnsightly appearance of reeds, rushes, wild grass, and pools of water, the 

 traveller will behold large fields of waving grain, and extensive meadows cov- 

 ered with nutritious grasses for stock feeding, and herds of cattle resting in the 

 shade of groves which dot the landscape, with occasionally a farm house to 

 relieve the eye from the monotony of so much natural beauty. 



Judge Marston read the following letter by Hon. James Birney : 



MAY THE UKAINAGE SYSTEM OF HOLLAND UE APPLIED TO THE XETHERr 



LANDS OF THE SAGINAW VALLEY. 



Holland has a world-wide reputation for having conquered territory from 

 the sea, for having removed lakes, and for having made beautiful and profita- 

 ble homes for many of her population on ground heretofore waste and only the 

 abode of the inhabitants of the deep. To accomplish this, almost insur- 

 mountable obstacles have been encountered and overcome. The larger portion 

 of the eastern side of Holland is below the level of the sea. It is also below 

 the level of the Khine, as well as of the canals which form the main arteries 

 for drainage. Holland, many centuries ago, was almost covered by the spread- 



