On reclaiming Marsh Land. 61 



although the sluices may have been laid, and the bank 

 completed, and that too at a very considerable expense ; 

 yet, until they be safely dammed out, nothing can be 

 said to have been done eflfectually. No business in the 

 whole circle of agricultural science, appears to me to be 

 of more importance, than a knowledge of the mode of 

 constructing a perfect dam of magnitude upon a mud 

 bottom, over a deep and rapid creek of tide-water. The 

 method which I have found to be the best, I will take 

 the liberty of recommending to others. In the first place, 

 I proceed with a hand or two in a boat at low tide, and 

 carefully measure, and note down the depth of water at 

 every eight or ten feet, until I have ascertained the exact 

 depth from shore to shore, as well as the distance across. 

 Then all necessary timber is provided, and worked so as 

 to suit the different purposes for which it is designed, all 

 such posts and other timber as may be wanted for a day''s 

 work are put on board of a large scow, or other vessel 

 capable of the service. Having proceeded to the site 

 intended for the dam, stakes are to be set up on both 

 sides of the creek, the tops of which must be at least two 

 feet above the intended summit of the bank when finish- 

 ed. With sheer-poles and tackle, we proceed to set 

 down a post by lowering it into the mud, and then forc- 

 ing it down to its proper depth, either by a man-hoy, as 

 it is called, (being a large block of wood) worked by 

 hand by the men ; or if that be not convenient, by having 

 a large log chained with one end to the top of the post, 

 and the other end resting on the boat, and by the assist- 

 ance of half a dozen men, jolting up and down on it, tJie 

 post is soon driven home ; another is tlien set down op- 

 posite the last, and when done, they are secured to each 

 other by a large piece of timber called a cap, mortised to 

 suit the tenons of these posts, and raised up and put on 

 them. Thus the labour of setting, diving, and capping 

 P 



