ON RECLAIMED MEADOW LANDS. 93 



had been removed many years since, and nothing of vahie had 

 grown from it. Dogwood, alders, the bUieberry and many 

 other kinds of bushes, together with brake, moss, and meadow 

 cabbage, being the principal growth. 



This swamp has a peat bottom, some parts of it being soft ; 

 so much so, that no beast of goodly size could travel over it. 

 Peat had been taken from the highest part of it, though it was 

 with difficulty, on account of water. 



In June, 1847, I concluded to drain the swamp in order to 

 clear it of standing water, resolving to reclaim it at some future 

 time. I accordingly employed a man to dig a ditch for that 

 purpose, which cost fiifteen dollars and forty cents. I saved 

 twenty cords of peat, taken from this ditch, which Isold, leav- 

 ing me one dollar per cord, exclusive of all expense. 



In Jutie, 1848, I began the work of reclaiming. I hired a 

 man well adapted to the business, for twenty dollars per month, 

 including board ; and with bog hoe in hand, and a good mus- 

 cular arm, he commenced business. Tiie whole surface of 

 about an acre and a quarter of this swamp was well cut and 

 carefully turned by him, (except the stumps and roots) it being 

 very important to have it well dried by exposure to the sun 

 and wind. In the years 1849-50, the same course was pursued 

 in regard to the remaining three and three quarter acres. As 

 much of it was turned in this way as possible, previous to 

 August, to enable us to burn it the more easily during that 

 month. After burning the top, all the roots and slumps were 

 removed and piled, to betaken of in the winter. Cross ditches 

 were then dug of about one and a half feet in depth, and of 

 the same width, making the beds about three rods in width. 

 Having completed the beds, we seeded down the same to 

 herds grass and red top. In 1847, my man was at work on 

 the swamp sixty-seven days, which, at seventy-seven cents per 

 day, would be fifty-one dollars and fifty-nine cents. 



The second year there were one hundred and thirty-four 

 days' labor expended, at seventy-seven cents per day, amount- 

 ing to one hundred and three dollars and eighteen cents. 



The third year there were eighty-four days' labor expended 



