DRAINING MY OWN. 67 



will) so that it rises above my outlet aforesaid, the 

 strong current formed by the concentration of the 

 clear contents of so many drains will not allow the 

 muddy water of the brook to back into it so many 

 as three feet at most ; and any mud or sediment that 

 may be deposited there will be swept out clean when- 

 ever the brook shall have fallen to the drainage level. 

 For this and similar excellent devices, I am indebted 

 to the capital engineering and thorough execution of 

 Messrs. Chickering & Gall, whose work on my place 

 has seldom required mending, and never called for 

 reconstruction. 



My Success. I judge that there are not many tracts 

 more difficult to drain than mine was, considering all 

 the circumstances, except those which are frequently 

 flowed by tides or the waters of some lake or river. 

 Had I owned the entire swamp, or had there been a 

 fall in the brook just below me, had I had any prior 

 experience in draining, or had others equally inter- 

 ested cooperated in the good work, my task would 

 have been comparatively light. As it was, I made 

 mistakes which increased the cost and postponed the 

 success of my efforts ; but this is at length complete. 

 I had seven acres of Indian Corn, one of Corn Fod- 

 der, two of Oats, and seven or eight acres of Grass, 

 on my lowland in 1869 ; and, though the Spring 

 months were quite rainy, and the latter part . of 

 Summer rather diy, my crops were all good. I did 

 not see better in Westchester County ; and I shall be 

 quite content with as good hereafter. Of my seven 



