FAEM IMPROVEMENTS. 69 



The distance between drains, "whether open or covered, 

 must, of course, depend somewhat upon the nature of the 

 soil, and the fall which can be secured. If the vegetable 

 constituents of the soil are in excess of the mineral, the 

 number of drains should be proportionately increased ; while, 

 as the available descent of grade increases, the number may 

 be proportionately diminished. If any one in Plymouth 

 County has so effectually drained swamp land, composed 

 wholly or partially of peat, that, when kept in grass for a 

 few years, rushes and water-grasses have not stolen into and 

 occupied, partially, at least, the spaces between the ditches, 

 his experience might furnish a rule for the guidance of others 

 similarly situated. Being unable to call to mind any such 

 instance, I can only suggest that the old adage, "Whatever is 

 worth doing, is worth doing well, " is peculiarly applicable to 

 this class of agricultural operations, and that experience 

 shows there is little danger of draining water-soaked land 

 too thoroughly. 



Large expenditures in carting mere sand or gravel upon 

 swamp land, for the purpose of converting it to English mea- 

 dow, are usually injudicious and unprofitable. If the natural 

 soil contains sufficient silex to render it solid when drained, 

 any addition is unnecessary ; if it does not, the needed supply 

 may be found in substances which have a value independent of 

 their hardening properties. Pure gravel will tend only to ster- 

 ility ; pure sand will induce a vigorous growth of rushes and 

 of nothing else. When some application of this kind is 

 deemed necessary or desirable, the surface soil of upland, too 

 porous to retain moisture, and, consequently, too dry to be 

 productive as it lies, mixed with an equal amount of the sub- 

 soil immediately beneath it, is probably the most appropriate 

 material for the purpose, the process being, virtually, that of 

 carrying the soil to the water where the water fails to come 

 to the soil. The bringing together of these two elements, 

 by artificial means and in the right proportion, is a costly 

 operation ; but when it is accomplished, the capacity for future 

 production will be limited only by the ability or willingness 

 of the owner to furnish plant-food in some of its numerous 

 forms. 



Alden S. Bradford, Supervisor. 



