ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 89 



as a mans' wrist, and bear pretty rough usage. It will be perceived 

 that it will be necessary to get oflF all the bushes, roots, hassocks, 

 &c., that are intended to be removed, before applying any gravel, 

 since sharp tools cannot be used after the gravel is applied. 



It will be observed that I have tried four different ways of reclaim- 

 ing lands, viz : digging ditches, so as to cover the meadow with 

 their contents, removing and burning the surface, together with the 

 rubbish — spreading the ashes, — removing only the hassocks and 

 prominences, and removing the surface and applying gravel. 



The first I should not pursue again. I would only dig ditches 

 enough to drain the land which should consist of one main ditch, and 

 cross ones from the shore, to the main ditch, sufficient to carry oflf 

 the water. 



I think well of gravelling meadow lands, and if a favorable time 

 is taken, swamp lands may be seeded down without removing the 

 surface except the prominences. 



All these lands will require a top dressing, once in two or three 

 years. I have not tried breaking up a second time, but were in- 

 clined to the opinion that they may remain a long time productive 

 with occasional dressings. We are frequently inquired of how deep 

 the mud is ? no matter how deep, mine is from six inches to ten feet 

 deep, and, I know no difference. My lands are not springy ; it 

 may be necessary where they are to dig a narrow ditch along the 

 shore, in addition to the main and cross ditches, but it would be very 

 much in the way when the shore is not spongy. 



I would not advise any one to depend too much upon precepts, on 

 this subject, every intelligent farmer will learn more by one or two 

 trials, than from all that has been written upon the subject. 



R. A. MERRIAM. 



Topsfield, Sept. 27th, 1848. 



ON AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS. 



The Committee on Improved Agricultural Implements, have very 

 little to Report upon : 



I There was presented to the Committee, one ox yoke, made by a 

 lad IT years old, a farmer by profession, John Whipple, of Hamil- 



12 



