32 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



As it appears by the statement of Isaac and George Adams, 

 hereto annexed, Little Cedar Swamp, containing about 200 

 acres, was, before 1861, of but little value to the owners, being 

 in so wet and miry a condition that what little hay grew upon it 

 was hardly worth getting. In 1862 and 1863, by energy and 

 perseverance, Deacon Isaac Adams and Deacon Moses Buck, 

 much against the wishes of the rest of the owners, succeeded in 

 getting commissioners appointed by the superior court to make 

 such improvements as they deemed for the best interest of all 

 the proprietors, and after a survey, finding a sufficient fall, 

 opened a ditch the entire length of each side of the swamp, so 

 that each individual owner connects his ditch with the main 

 ditches, which leaves the meadow dry enough for a team to work 

 upon. 



The acre offered by Isaac V. Adams lay by the side of the 

 swamp between the upland and main ditch, and was covered 

 with gravel in a thorough and workmanlike manner. The Com- 

 mittee were unanimous in giving him the first premium of $10. 



The acre offered by George Adams lies in the middle of the 

 swamp, well drained by a ditch cut each side, connecting with 

 the main ditch, burned over in 1864, and sowed with oats for 

 fodder in June, 1865. The increase in value of this acre is esti- 

 mated at $40. The Committee award him the second premium 



of 18. 



Warren "Whitney, Giairman. 



Statement of Isaac V. Adams. 



I enter for premium one acre of improved meadow lying on 

 the easterly side of Little Cedar Swamp which was drained by 

 order of the superior court of the county of Middlesex in the 

 years 1862 and '63. 



The land was very wet previous to this time, and the hay 

 hardly worth cutting. I valued the land at ten dollars per acre, 

 and paid a tax of five dollars per acre to cover the expense of 

 drainage. In the summer of 1863 I made a fruitless attempt 

 to cultivate a small portion, perhaps one-fourth of an acre of 

 that now entered for premium. I supposed ploughing was the 

 first operation that was necessary to be performed, but my oxen 

 could not go in the furrow without dropping into the mire, and 

 I was obliged to resort to another course of procedure. I took 



