110 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



both late and early, over iindrained lands. The most serious 

 objection made to this permanent improvement in farming, 

 under-draining, is its cost. To quote a vulgar but significant 

 phrase, " It will not pay," says the farmer. If this be true, if 

 experience and observation, after having given thorough drain- 

 ing a fair trial, shall confirm this prediction, then none but 

 fancy farmers will adopt it, for all matters in farming that fail 

 to stand this test must ultimately fail. And it would be strange 

 indeed if the theory that nearly all lands in Franklin County 

 need under-draining, did not meet sturdy objections, clad in 

 economy, earnestly and in good faith, contending that such a 

 radical improvement will never pay. With such the advocates 

 of thorough draining should not spend much time in arguing 

 the question, but rather in collecting facts, such as experience 

 has evolved and observation confirmed. Observation and expe- 

 rience have taught the writer that the whole cost of draining 

 swamp land has been more than paid by the first crop taken off 

 after draining. One of the best and most successful experiments 

 made in thorough draining of land in this county is that exe- 

 cuted by Mr. Allis, of Conway. He has nearly or quite com- 

 pleted the under-draining of his entire farm. In doing this he 

 has constructed about two miles of drain, and used six cart- 

 loads of stone to every five rods of drain. In addition to drain- 

 ing in this county, we must introduce deep and thorough tillage, 

 and besides make a liberal use of fertilizers. The earth, thus 

 treated, will be found a liberal rewarder, returing the husband- 

 man some thirty, some sixty, and to others even a hundred fold. 

 They who drain and till deeply and thoroughly, and sow liber- 

 ally shall reap bountifully, and thus have the satisfaction of 

 seeing the work of their hands prosper. 



Anson K. Warner, Chairman. 



HOUSATONIC. 



From the Report of the Committee on Reclaimed Lands. 



The Committee appointed to examine orchards set in the 

 spring of 1865, and unproductive lands, both to be reported on 

 and awards made in 1868, have attended to and performed said 

 duty, and submit the following Report : — 



There were six pieces of land, containing not less than one 

 acre each, all of which could be greatly improved by a reason- 



