244 HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 



the attention of the public to the statements of vakiable im- 

 provements made in swamp lands, and also, of superior crops 

 raised within the county, the past season. The applications 

 for premiums, though few in number, are deserving of particu- 

 lar notice. 



R. S. Merrick's Statement. 



The piece of reclaimed meadow to which I call the attention 

 of the directors, consists of about eight acres. This was cov- 

 ered with an enormous growth of bogs, — some being from 

 three to four feet high, — and some brush, mostly alders. In 

 the fall of 1840, I opened a ditch through the middle of the 

 meadow, or swamp, which took off the water, so that I was 

 able, the succeeding fall, to commence cutting the bogs. The 

 bogs were cut, and when sufficiently dry, burned on the ground ; 

 the ashes were spread, and harrowed in ; herd's grass and red 

 top seed was sown and bushed in, usually in September. The 

 meadow was finished in 184S, and the whole mowed, the past 

 season, which yielded an average of two tons of good hay per 

 acre. I usually applied a light dressing of manure, the third 

 year after seeding ; the ashes being sufficient, for the first two 

 years. This swamp was of little or no value, except as a bur- 

 row for muskrats, &c. The expense of reclaiming did not ex- 

 ceed thirty dollars per acre, twenty of which was for cutting 

 the bogs. 



WiLBRAHAM, 1849. 



William BurVs Statement. 



The piece of reclaimed swamp to which I call the attention 

 of the society, consists of about two acres, which was very wet 

 and boggy, and previous to the fall of 1845, would not more 

 than pay for mowing. In the fall of that year, the bogs were 

 cut, and sand and earth, from the margin of the swamp, drawn 

 upon it, to the depth of from two to twelve inches, — which 

 was done with thirty days' work, by one man, and a pair of 



