6 SOILS OF THE EASTEBN UNITED STATES. 



value will vary greatly with the different areas; in the case of many 

 well located with respect to city markets, or to transportation to large 

 markets, intensive crops may be grown, and a greater expense in the 

 reclamation of such areas would be justified than in the case of others 

 more remotely situated. Again, the interval between high and low 

 tide constitutes a dominating factor in the reclamation of many tide 

 marshes. Unless there is a sufficient interval to permit of the drain- 

 ing away of the fresh water which flows into the marsh, it would be 

 difficult to reduce the water table low enough within the reclaimed 

 area to permit of the production of agricultural crops. The shore- 

 line configuration, which determines the amount of embankment nec- 

 essary to shut out tidewater, is also an important factor. The ex- 

 posure to storm winds and to the waves during heavy storms also 

 constitute factors which must be considered in estimating the strength 

 and size of embankment and the necessity for rock facing or for 

 other provision for additional security. It is therefore apparent 

 that when the reclamation of Tidal marsh is considered one of the 

 first requisites will be to study carefully the engineering features of 

 embankment, ditching, and the installation of underdrains. 1 



It has been found from the study of many instances that the cost of 

 reclamation of Tidal marsh will range from a few dollars to as high 

 as $50 or $60 per acre in case of the construction of extensive works. 

 This expenditure, however, is amply justified even when only general 

 farm crops like corn, the small grains, and grass are produced, since 

 the marshlands when once drained and free from any excess of saline 

 matter, are unusually productive. Acreage returns amounting to 

 $150 or even $250 may be secured from the production of market 

 garden vegetables and small fruits upon reclaimed Tidal marsh. 



There are thousands of acres of unclaimed Tidal marsh along the 

 coast line of the eastern portion of the United States which remain 

 unoccupied for any agricultural purpose and which still constitute 

 a menace to the health of the communities to which they are adjacent. 

 From both the standpoint of agricultural utilization and of sani- 

 tation a study should be made of the possibility of the reclamation 

 of these marshes. 



Even with the high cost of drainage and clearing it is frequently 

 desirable to reclaim considerable areas of Swamp. The improvement 

 in sanitary conditions of the neighborhood should be taken into con- 

 sideration in taking up such work, but usually the agricultural 

 returns to be obtained from the drained land must be depended upon 

 to justify reclamation. The soils classed as Swamp vary considerably 

 in their characteristics, as has been already pointed out, and conse- 

 quently they show a considerable variation in the class of crops to 



1 For further discussion of tidal marshes and their reclamation consult Bulletin 240 of 

 the Office of Experiment Stations, U. S. Dept. Agr. 



