AN ESSAY 



ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF WET MEADOWS AND 

 SWAMP LANDS. 



BY TEMPLE CUTLER. 



Perceiving that the Trustees take a very lively interest in the re- 

 clamation of Wet Meadows, and Swamp Lands,, I am induced to 

 attempt to give ray aid to this laudable enterprise. It is a subject 

 that should call forth the attention of practical farmers, for there is 

 none which holds out to them, individually, more certain prospects 

 of ample returns for money and labor expended. It should, also, 

 command the attention of our scientific agriculturists, to show us the 

 qualities of the component parts of such soils, and of the proper in- 

 gredients to mix A\ith them to bring their latent valuable qualities 

 into action. 



Such lands, to which the adjoining and surrounding uplands have 

 been for ages tributary, by the washing of every rain and melting 

 snow, abound in this County, and yet remain waste lands, and al- 

 most totally unproductive. Every little tributary rivulet carries to 

 thom some of the topdressings that may have been applied to these 

 uplands by the hand of man, as well as by nature, . and there they 

 remain sunken in these bogs ; and the art of man is required to bring 

 their rich and valuable qualities into action, and make them produc- 

 tive. 



The first great and important point to be attended to, is thorough 

 draining ; this is the great desideratum, — no one may expect com- 

 plete success in attempting to reclaim wet, or bog meadows, or 

 swamps, without first sufficiently draining them ; and unless this is 

 practicable, no one should with confidence attempt the enterprise. 

 It is on this point many have failed of success. They may, indeed, 

 for one or two years, obtain a tolerable crop, but land not fully 

 drained, even with all its topdressings of gravel, of loam, of soil, or 

 of good manure, will soon go back to its natural state, producing lit- 

 tle besides its natural wild grasses, and will be entirely unfit for any 

 kind of cultivation. The first great object then should be to ascer- 

 tain if the land in view can be drained ; and according to my obser- 



