86 



Mret by heavy springs rising in the margin of the meadow^ 

 which, having no particular point of accumulation, kept 

 hearly the entire surface of the meadow in a state of quag- 

 mire. I purchased this lot more for the ivaier than the land : 

 but, to render the water available, it became necessary to 

 ditch the land. The ditchmg was commenced August 25th, 

 1852. As it progressed, I became impressed more and 

 more with the idea of making something of the land. The 

 ditching was completed, including deep cuts in various 

 directions into the surrounding highland, and filling the cuts 

 with stone, at a cost of about one hundred and sixty dollars; 

 The ditch through the low ground probably cost not above 

 fifteen dollars. 



The operation of ditching completed, that of clearing the 

 ground of brush and wood Avas next commenced. This 

 was done with an eye to economy, bordering on parsimony. 

 Every stick, of the size of the workmen's thumb, was trim- 

 med and carted off for firewood. The small brush remaining, 

 was piled and burned. The wood obtained more than paid 

 the expense of clearing and ditching. 



Having thus arrived at the bottom, my next idea was to 

 put the meadow in a state of cultivation. My Irishman told 

 me that the roots must be pulled out and burned. So also 

 said the farmer, whose opinion I solicited. I was neither a 

 farmer nor the son of a farmer, but I knew something of 

 the nature of soils ; and after getting the advice of many, I 

 determined to follow my own inclination. The meadow on 

 the north side of the ditch, I concluded to treat in the usual 

 way ; while that on the south side should be treated as I 

 conceived to be the best way. 



I accordingly commenced covering the stumps on the 

 south side of the ditch with turf, muck and loam taken from 

 the lot adjoining where Lowell street has since been graded. 

 The turf was cut by sharp spades, taken in barrows and 

 placed bottom up, directly upon the top of the meadow. 



