HAMPSHIRE SOCIETY. 267 



from below, or more frequently come out from the bottom of 

 the hills on the margin of the meadows, at so high a tempera- 

 ture as to keep the grass in a green and growing state during 

 the winter and thus produce a feeble growth in summer. Cut 

 off the springs by what is called strata-draining, that is, by 

 ditches at the bottom of the hills and near the margin of mead- 

 ows, or by subsoil draining, and you restore a vigorous growth 

 to the plants. 



This process carried out fully, favors the efficacy of manure. 

 Besides producing a more rapid decomposition by the with- 

 drawment of water, it prevents the manure from being present 

 to the roots of plants in a form too dilute and reduced. This is 

 important especially in respect to the salts like nitrate of potash 

 and the liquid manures generally. To attempt to nourish 

 plants by manures too much diluted by water, would be like 

 feeding a man constantly upon only a thin broth, instead of 

 solid nutriment. 



This process carried out to its completion, is favorable to 

 health. This is not only by preventing the dampness, and 

 coldness which operate to produce bronchial affections and con- 

 sumptions, but also by its preventing the formation of malaria, 

 which generate intermittent fevers and bilious affections. Facts 

 are abundant in confirmation of this position. 



This process of reclaiming meadow land gratifies the taste. 

 It transforms barrenness and deformity into flourishing beauty. 

 It makes it blossom like the rose. So that as you pass by it, 

 adorned with its luxuriant summer growth, you are ready, in 

 the language of the prophet, to say, " This land that was des- 

 olate has become like the garden of Eden." 



This process of redeeming meadow land incidentally fur- 

 nishes the means of fertilizing other lands, which need an 

 additional supply of those elements which are furnished by the 

 peat-muck taken from the ditches. An illustration of this is 

 furnished by Samuel Powers, of Hadley. He employs a 

 large number of hogs to elaborate this muck into its proper 

 condition. It ought to be added that Mr. Powers has 

 been eminently successful in redeeming the land entered 

 for examination, as the premiums bestowed in past years tes- 

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