IMPROVING PASTURE AND WASTE LAND. 75 



years ago, this land was covered with timber, mostly black 

 ash, with a few huge pines. There was much fallen timber 

 imbedded in the muck, which might have been there for centu- 

 ries. About five years later, this portion was cleared of these 

 obstructions, with the exception of a few large pine stumps. 

 An open ditch was dug along the north and east sides ; two 

 ditches were also opened across the central portion, and inter- 

 secting with the ditch on the north side at right angles. For 

 many years these open ditches have proved very ineffectual, 

 that on the east side being nearly filled up, and the land so 

 saturated with water as to be of very little use for farming 

 purposes. The soil is a black muck, from two to seven feet 

 in depth, with a subsoil of clay and sand. In the autumn of 

 1872, I commenced to reclaim this portion of the swamp, 

 which was yielding only about one-half ton per acre of water- 

 grass, fine brakes and vines, which was used for bedding. At 

 that time a portion of the ground was so soft that I could not 

 drive upon it with my team. The old ditch, on the north 

 and east sides, was settled to a depth of two feet, and a stone 

 drain laid, on plank covered with stone ; two lateral drains 

 were cut, of about five rods each, and laid with two-inch 

 horseshoe tile. This tile was laid upon boards, the muck 

 being so soft that the tile would not keep its place. The piece 

 was turned over with the plough, except the softer portion, 

 which was done with the spade. It was then levelled, and 

 received a dressing of ten loads of chip-dirt, and seeded to 

 timothy. In the spring of 1874, I found much water standing 

 on the surface, in the vicinity of the tile drain. On examina- 

 tion I found the tile had been displaced by cattle passing over 

 it while the ground was soft. I then caused the tile drains 

 to be relaid, placing a board above the tile, as well as below, 

 since which time it has given me no trouble. 



The cost of 17 rods of stone drain, $17 00 



" of 10 rods of tile drain, 7 00 



Ploughing, fitting and seeding, 7 00 



Grass-seed, 1 00 



Ten loads of chip-dirt, 5 00 



Relaying tile, . 1 00 



Total, $38 00 



