272 On Salt Marsh. 



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up with the crust of dead grass on the top. In a small 

 piece, however, selected for experiment, (about the 

 fourth of an acre,) the crust was removed with a hoe 

 and rake, and here the crop w T as remarkably heavy. 

 The second fall having arrived, it was determined to put 

 the same ground in wheat and rye, as before ; for we sup- 

 posed that the sod was sufficiently rotten for the harrow 

 to tear it in pieces. We were disappointed ; the most solid 

 parts of the meadow still sustained the decaying roots of 

 salt grass ; and where this was not the case, the horses 

 could not walk, and oxen went with difficulty through the 

 slough. It was perceived, that wherever the mud was 

 lightest, the decomposition was most speedy ; and hence, 

 as this light sedge-mud was the only kind that could be 

 cultivated to advantage this year, the farming proceeded 

 under great discouragements to the workmen, as well as 

 to the oxen. The frequent plunging of these made them 

 sullen, and the slow progress of the work disheartened the 

 drivers ; while the musquetoes, whose number had not 

 then diminished since the ditching was done, increased 

 the vexation of both. These obstructions limited the 

 operations of the fall to a smaller space than was intend- 

 ed ; but the ensuing summer brought an abundant har- 

 vest, as respects rye. We now discovered that wheat 

 was a less hardy plant, and unfit for the loose marsh ; 

 but that in every place on the solid salt grass marsh, 

 where it had a covering, it throve well. 



In the second spring, oats grew again, as well as be- 

 fore, in the same ground ; and a small piece of flax yield- 

 ed an ordinary crop. Indian corn looked stinted and 

 scalded in some places, and most luxuriant in others, 



