38 ON MEADOW AND SWAMP LAND. 



The other part or half, was so full of brake-root, that I could not 

 work it ; in order to get rid of which, I let the land lay until after 

 haying, when I gathered the brake-root into large heaps and burned 

 them. In 1843, ploughed and planted part with potatoes, and sowed 

 part with barley. In 18-44, ploughed and sowed part with oats, which 

 I cut for fodder. The other part I planted with potatoes. After 

 getting off the oats in August, ploughed and sowed with herds grass 

 and red top about six acres. In 1845, ploughed and sowed with 

 oats three acres ; planted one acre with potatoes, six acres being in 

 grass ; all this 3'ear bearing heavy crops. In August, ploughed and 

 sowed with herds grass and red top the three acres which were in 

 oats. The present year, 1846, ploughed and sowed with barley and 

 grass seed one acre in April ; cut in July, a heavy crop of barley. 

 From the nine acres in grass, I think I can safely estimate an average 

 of two tons good hay per acre. I have used very little manure on 

 any part of it, and some parts nothing more than a light sprinkling 

 of ashes when seeded down to grass. 



The expense attending the whole improvement, over the usual la- 

 bor on common tillage lands, I estimate thus : 



Cutting down brush, $45 



Pulling stumps, 175 



Hauling off do., 85 



Extra team and labor ploughing, 40 



Expense of apparatus for pulling stumps, . 30 



$325 



The amount of fuel obtained from the stumps, I calculate was worth 

 to me all the expense of pulling them out, which, deduct 175 from 

 325, leaves 150 or $15 per acre. I certainly think the crop of hay 

 last year, more than balanced the account between me and the swamp. 



I will cheerfully explain the method I used in pulling the stumps, 

 to any one wishing to try the experiment. 



I have thus given you as correct and detailed a statement as my 

 time at present will permit, and submit the same. 



Respectfully, 



SAMUEL C. PITMAN. 



Woodside Farm, Lynn, September 14th, 1846. 



