64 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



There are more, however, that remain unreclaimed and un- 

 productive. 



Four entries, of what were called reclaimed meadows, were 

 made. The committee viewed them all. Only two pieces came 

 within their province, to wit, those entered by Messrs. Mon- 

 tague and Smith. 



L. Wetherell, Chairman. 



Statement of Albert Montague. 



I offer three acres of reclaimed meadow in Sunderland. T 

 can give an accurate statement of the method and expense of 

 reclaiming only one acre, and of the amount of produce obtained 

 therefrom. The entire piece lies in a swamp of about ten 

 acres, which has been partially drained, from time to time, since 

 1833. By draining at considerable expense, and overcoming 

 opposition of neighbors, who were not willing, at first, that I 

 should cut a drain through their lands — although their lands 

 became twice as valuable in consequence of the drain — this 

 whole swamp has been very much improved, and yields much 

 good feed, as well as much that is sour. My lot of three acres, 

 to wliich I invite your special attention, lies near the south end 

 of this swamp, being as low as any part of it. I mowed it for 

 a series of years previous to 1852, and obtained a little coarse 

 bog hay, barely sufficient to pay for my labor. 



In August, 1851, immediately after mowing, I commenced 

 draining more faithfully, and bogging it evenly, to fit it for the 

 plough, as most of the stumps had already been removed. I 

 then ploughed, about seven inches deep, taking pains to have it 

 well turned, and the furrows lie nearly flat. I turned up some 

 two or three inches of muck, which lay until May, 1852, and 

 being then well pulverized with a harrow, I was enabled to 

 cultivate it without much expense. 



I planted on the 22d of May, spread a light coat of manure, 

 composted of barnyard manure and sand, in equal proportions, 

 using at the rate of eight loads of compost to the acre. I 

 added twelve bushels of ashes to the acre, putting them in the 

 hill. I planted Indian corn, hoed three times, and cultivated 

 between the rows. Just before the last hoeing, I sowed grass 

 seed at the rate of one peck of herds-grass, four quarts of red- 



