128 HOW TO GET A FAEM, 



of upland was found to be included, on which build 

 ings could be placed. 



My protege began by opening an outlet at the 

 lower end of the swamp, from which he cut a wide 

 ditch through the whole, from one end to the other, 

 felling trees, taking out roots, and grubbing up the 

 dogwood and alders. Thirty days labor of him 

 self and one hired man, accustomed to such work, 

 completed the ditch. The effect was immediate and 

 very decided. Instead of the old sluggish stream, 

 a lively current now flowed rapidly down the new 

 water-course, into which trickled a hundred little 

 streams from both sides of the swamp. Heretofore 

 they had stagnated for want of an outlet now they 

 put on a wholesome activity. Numerous ponds 

 and puddles quickly disappeared, while sundry 

 powerful springs became so well defined that their 

 sources at the foot of the upland could be distinctly 

 identified. 



While the changed condition of the land was 

 thus enabling it to throw off a large portion of the 

 surplus water which had made it worthless, the 

 young owner went to work on the trees and under 

 brush. So great had been the change effected by 

 the single ditch already made, that he felt greatly 

 encouraged to persevere. As often happens, in such 

 cases, the trees produced more cords of wood than 

 either of us had anticipated. The brush was 

 trimmed and bundled into faggots, which sold 

 readily for kindling. The dogwood bushes were 

 grubbed up bodily, so as to preserve the crook or 

 curve at the root, and were then sold to a manufac- 



