RECLAIMED MEADOWS. 51 



good returns for any kind of dressing, and are not affected by 

 the season, but yield better, if any thing, in a dry season. 



ToPSFiELD, July 25th, 1853. 



/. P. C Hayes' Statement. 



The meadow I have offered for consideration, comprises from 

 one and a half to two acres. One year ago it was a mass of 

 muck and brush — a forsaken spot. It was rendered wet by 

 heavy springs rising in the margin of the meadow, which hav- 

 ing no particular point of accumulation, kept nearly the entire 

 surface of the meadow in a state of quagmire. I purchased 

 this lot more for the water than the land ; but, to render the 

 water available, it became necessary to ditch the land. The 

 ditching was commenced August 25th, 1852. As it progressed, 

 I became impressed more and more with the idea of making 

 something of the land. The ditching was completed, including 

 deep cuts in various directions into the surrounding highland, 

 and filling the cuts with stone at a cost of about one hundred 

 and sixty dollars. The ditch through the low ground, probably, 

 cost not above fifteen dollars. 



The operation of ditching completed, that of clearing the 

 ground of brush and wood was next commenced. This was 

 done with an eye to economy, bordering on parsimony. Every 

 stick of the size of the workmen's thumb, was trimmed and 

 carted off for firewood. The small brush remaining, was piled 

 and burned. The wood obtained more than paid the expense 

 of clearing and ditching. 



Having thus arrived at the bottom, my nest idea was to put 

 the meadow in a state of cultivation. My Irishman told me 

 that the roots must be pulled out and burned. So also said 

 the farmer, whose opinion I solicited. I was neither a farmer 

 nor the son of a farmer, but I knew something of the nature 

 of soils ; and after getting the advice of many, I determined to 

 follow my own inclination. The meadow on the north side of 

 the ditch, I concluded to treat in the usual way ; while that 

 on the south side should be treated as I conceived to be the 

 best way. 



I accordingly commenced covering the stumps on the south 



