No. 4.] DRAINAGE PROJECTS. 103 



SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND 

 FINANCING OF DRAINAGE PROJECTS. 



SAMUEL H. McCEOEY, CHIEF OF DRAINAGE INVESTIGATIONS, OFFICE OF 

 PUBUC ROADS AND RURAL ENGINEERING, UNITED STATES DEPART- 

 MENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Introduction. 



Within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Massachu- 

 setts there are approximately 100,000 acres of fresh-water 

 swamp lands. In addition to these lands there are undoubtedly 

 considerable areas of agricultural lands that are periodically 

 damaged by overflow, but which could be much improved for 

 agricultural purposes by better drainage. These lands are not 

 found in large tracts, but are scattered over the State in small 

 areas which vary in size from a few acres to several thousand. 

 When drained, the swamp lands are usually very fertile and 

 capable of yielding large crops. Most of the swamp soils are 

 particularly well adapted for trucking crops, and in many local- 

 ities are used chiefly for this purpose. The proximity of 

 Massachusetts swamp lands to excellent markets, and the excel- 

 lent transportation facilities which traverse the State, should 

 make the drainage of these lands especially profitable. In 

 addition to the fresh-water swamps there are approximately 

 80,000 acres of tidal marsh which would make valuable agri- 

 cultural land, though their reclamation would be somewhat 

 more expensive. 



Reasons for Draining. 



Usually there are two reasons for undertaking drainage im- 

 provements, — one is to improve agricultural conditions; the 

 other, to improve sanitary and other conditions tending toward 

 the promotion of the public welfare. 



In their unimproved condition swamp lands are not usually 



