INVESTIGATIONS AT THE COLLEGE 51 



Third Paper. On the improvement of salt marshes. 

 (Agriculture of Massachusetts, 1876.) 



This was a further report on the Marshfield marsh 

 lands. The condition of the land and crops was en- 

 couraging, although some failures were experienced, 

 and similar failures were to be expected for some years 

 until the land had been under cultivation long enough 

 to get the soil into better physical condition. The ex- 

 amination of soil and of drainage waters showed that 

 inefficient drainage even in the vicinity of the river 

 was still the main cause of crop-failures. He stated that 

 all attempts to establish a rational system of tillage 

 would fail so long, and in the same degree, as efficient 

 drainage was neglected. He then outlined a plan for a 

 drainage system of which the river with its tributaries 

 should be the centre from which the mam ditches 

 should start, and to which all ditches should have an 

 outlet. The old ditches in many instances might be- 

 come links in this new system. He again recommended 

 ploughing as soon as the soil failed to produce a good 

 grass crop due to the breaking down of the old sod. 

 He made no definite recommendations as to a system 

 of crop rotation, but advised that for some years crops 

 should be selected with a view to improving the 

 mechanical condition of the soil, and that a rotation of 

 crops should be chosen, with the aim not only of econo- 

 mizing the latent plant-food, but also of preserving a 

 liberal amount of organic matter in the soil. 



Fourth Paper. The improvement of salt marshes in 

 the town of Marshfield, made together with George M. 



