130 ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



down to grass, in September, with the usual quantity of seed, 

 used on uplands, viz. : one peck of herds-grass, and one bushel 

 of red-top, costing, probably, $1 75, making, therefore, the ex- 

 pense of $21 75. We know of instances of land, thus managed, 

 producing, for several years, more than two tons to the acre, 

 without farther top-dressing. Peat meadow land, thus man- 

 aged, I have always found to give good crops of good hay much 

 longer with top-dressing, than similar lands well ploughed and 

 planted, well manured in the hole, rotted and laid down, without 

 the sand or gravel. This seems to amount to something like con- 

 clusive evidence of the great value of these substances, on peat 

 lands. 



I have spoken hitherto, mostly of loose peat lands, for it is 

 with those I have been most conversant. But the field in which 

 we are now engaged is exceedingly extensive, opening to view 

 a great variety of soils, susceptible of great improvements, vary- 

 ing in their texture and composition, and composed much of nu- 

 tritive and decayed vegetable and animal substances. The 

 process by which they may be reclaimed must be varied, ac- 

 cording to the substances composing them. Where clay pre- 

 dominates, sand is one of the best ingredients to mix with it. 

 Where sand or gravel prevails, some substances having the 

 adhesive qualities of clay, would be best. In some soils, that 

 are well drained, and not flowed at any season, compost, and 

 even barn manure, may be used to advantage. But I have come 

 to the conclusion, that, on most swamp lands, or meadows, ma- 

 nures are not necessary, but the cheaper articles I have men- 

 tioned, such as gravel, &c., are not only more economical, but 

 actually better. Improvements by paring and bwmiiig the sur- 

 face, have been attempted in our county, with good success, and 

 although so much resorted to, in foreign countries, yet have not 

 been extensively practised here. Such as have imdertaken this 

 process have raised fine crops. Some instances of improve- 

 ments have been seen, where the expenses have exceeded the 

 value of them, in dollars and cents, yet the fancy of the owner 

 may have been gratified, and the outlay not grudged. Yet I 

 think it would be wise, in those who are to get their living by 

 farming, to exercise their best judgment in this matter, and adopt 



