44 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



soil will generally be seen, we believe, where the best imple- 

 ments and means for saving hard toil, and a too often limited 

 time, are at hand. 



Charles C. Sewall, Chairman. 



RECLAIMED MEADOWS. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The committee on wet meadows and swamp lands, have the 

 satisfaction to believe that the subject intrusted to their charge, 

 is one of vast importance to the farming community, and is, 

 every year, more distinctly appreciated. 



Although the number of claims presented for consideration 

 is not so great as might have been expected in the county, still 

 there are enough to present a distinct illustration of what can 

 be done in the way of improvement, and to show the benefits 

 that may be derived by doing it. 



The several claimants have so fully stated the peculiarities 

 of their operations, that the committee do not feel called on to 

 go much into detail as to what they themselves have seen. 

 And they are the more willing to be relieved of this duty, as 

 by an unfortunate combination of circumstances in relation to 

 the notices of the entries, made by some of the claimants, their 

 opportunities for examination, while the crops were growing, 

 were not so complete as could have been desired. Their 

 opinions, therefore, of the comparative merits of the claims pre- 

 sented, are made substantially from the statements sulnnitted, 

 of which, all who read them, will have the opportunity of 

 judging, as have the committee. 



A few general ideas seem to be essential to be regarded in 

 relation to lands of this description. 



First, the surplus water is to be removed, and completely 

 removed. While any of this remains, so far, at least, there 

 will be an effectual barrier to improvement. Ditches or drains 



