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Committee were of the opinion that in some cases such mead- 

 ows might bebenetitted by damming the water at certain seasons 

 of the year, at the outlet of the ditch, and retaining such an 

 amount of Avater in the ditch as may be necessary to keep the 

 land moist, or to some extent guard against drought. 

 ' Meadows require some dressing from the uphmd iu shape 

 of sand, gravel, loam, or something of the kind. Most per- 

 sons use such material as may be nearest at hand, or can be 

 used with least expense, and if a person is successful, he is 

 apt to think that the material he used is the best, hence 

 there are diflerent opinions on the subject. Sand can l)e used 

 with considerable less expense than gravel, as it is much 

 easier shovelled. I have been informed by those who have 

 used both sand and gravel, on the same meadow, that gravel 

 is decidedly the best. For myself, I have had considerable 

 experience in cultivating meadow land, but never used sand, 

 as I had access to none within a reasonable distance. I should 

 recommend, however, that persons who have access to difler- 

 ent material, to try the experiment and judge for themselves. 

 The Committee would recommend that the first premium, of 

 fifteen dollars, be paid to James J. H. Gregory, of Marble- 

 head, for his improved meadow land. 



It is an old saying that experience is the best schoolmaster. 

 The writer therefore proposes giving some of his own expe- 

 rience in cultivating meadow land, believing that he has had 

 longer experience than most others, although it may not be so 

 instructive. 



Fifty years ago my father had a few acres of meadow land 

 in the central part of his fai*m, adjoining the road and near 

 his buildings, which he considered of but little value, as it 

 produced but little hay, and that of poor quality. He often 

 said it was an eyesore to him, and that he would gladly give 

 it away, if it could be removed, and his hill land, (as he call- 

 ed it,) could be moved in to take its place. The most of the 

 year it was covered with stagnant water ; in winter it was 

 covered with ice, where the boys congregated to play and 



