DEAINED SALT MAKSHES. 341 



pumpkins, squashes, onions, cucumbers and wheat,— had been 

 carried on along the banks of the river and its tributaries. 

 They all seemed to promise good results. Black-grass had 

 gained ground in some parts of the upper meadows. Sedges 

 and rushes had disappeared in many localities, retaining their 

 hold only upon grounds where peculiar local conditions had 

 apparently interfered with an efficient surface drainage. 

 Many of these places owed their existence most likely to the 

 presence of an impervious clayish deposit of limited extent, 

 somewhere benoath the surface. They were noticed quite 

 frequently in the midst of a luxuriant growth of genuine 

 grasses, and, on account of their comparatively bare appear- 

 ance, caused, to some extent, at least, the broken-up aspect of 

 the vegetation in some parts of the meadows. 



Taking into consideration the short period of time since 

 (November, 1872) the salt water last overflowed these salt 

 marshes, it must be conceded that the changes which of late 

 have taken place in the character and value of their vegetable 

 products, as compared with those of previous years, are, to 

 say the least, quite remarkable. 



Although a considerable area of the marginal meadows is 

 undoubtedly already in condition for a more systematic culti- 

 vation, the larger portion is not yet thus far advanced. The 

 cultivation of grass crops will thus, for a few years hence, be 

 the safest operation. 



Immediate efforts should bo made to perfect a thorough 

 general plan for the draining of the subsoil. An early re- 

 moval of the salt water is desirable in the interest of a speedy 

 disintegration of organic matter within the subsoil, and also 

 of a good economy regarding various essential soil constitu- 

 ents, as phosphoric acid, lime and potassa. It is indispensable 

 for the successful production of a more valuable growth. 



As soon as an efficient drainage has been secured, attention 

 should be paid to the improvement of the chemical and 

 physical condition of the surface portion of the soil. The 

 plough should be effectually applied as soon as the accumu- 

 lated organic matter beneath the present sod becomes spongy 

 by its progressing decay, and thus tends to interfere with the 

 formation of a continuous and compact sod. The latter, as 

 is well known, is essential for a profitable cultivation of 



