66 On reclaiming Marsh Land, 



and also by such distribution, the lowest and poorest 

 parts would receive the greatest proportion of the sedi- 

 ment. Another reason, I even assign, is, that the drier 

 your meadow and better the mud, the tiner and more nutri- 

 tious will be the quality of the grass. It is invariably the 

 case, that you will find the loose or peaty soil in the low- 

 est parts of all marshes, and although it may sometimes 

 produce a tolerable quantity of coarse herbage, or by 

 good cultivation, a prolific crop of the improved grasses ; 

 still none of those productions will be half equal in nu- 

 trition, to that grown on good mud. In the divisions 

 of the marsh, let all the ditches be cut eight feet wide by 

 three feet deep ; a narrower ditch would be unsafe for the 

 cattle. 



SEEDING OF MEADOWS. 



As soon as possible after the marsh has been enclosed, 

 and while the ditches are cutting, set to work in good 

 earnest, to have your grass seed sown. It is all important 

 to have it sown as speedil}? as practicable. Often have 

 I seen the good effects of early and expeditious seeding 

 of a new marsh, and frequently have I known that a dd- 

 lay for a year or two, has cost a length of time and la- 

 bour, to put in the seed, and even then to very litde pur- 

 pose. Should the marsh have on it a great quantity of 

 wild herbage ; no matter, be not dismayed ; sow among 

 them, throw on the seed plentifully, and you will in a year 

 or two see your account in it. If any part should remain 

 not seeded when the winter sets in, you may burn off the 

 rubbish (if you think best) and commence sowing your 

 seed in February ; and that it may be evenly scattered 

 over the surface of the marsh, sow the lots twice, by 

 crossing the first with the second sowing. The roller is 

 always to be preferred for the purpose of beating down 

 the rubbish, rather than destroy it by burning. It is the 



