108 IMPROVING WET MEADOWS AND SWAMP LANDS. 



energy and skill ; and when we saw it, this unpromising, unsightly 

 swamp was drained, cleared of bushes and stones, and had become 

 a well cultivated and productive spot. 



It will be seen by Mr. Osborn's statement, that upon it he has 

 spent much profitable labor. He has kept no other team than a 

 single horse, which has performed all team labor excepting the first 

 ploughing. We were astonished to learn what an amount of rough, 

 severe labor, could be accomplished without any injury to the animal, 

 by one horse judiciously trained and managed. 



Mr. Osborn informs us that one-third of an acre should be added 

 to the certificate of the surveyor, making the whole meadow or 

 swamp operated on, two acres and ninety-eight rods. 



Your committee unanimously award to Mr. Payson the 1st pre- 

 mium, of $15.00, and to Mr. Osborn the 2d premium, of $10.00. 



JOHN KEELY, Chairman. 



THOMAS E. PAYSON' S STATEMENT. 



The particular parcel of meadow which I oflFer for premium, is 

 that upon which potatoes were grown in the summer of 1854. Its 

 limits Avere pointed out to you when you were upon it. I offer no 

 other part of the meadow, for two reasons. One is, because I am 

 unable to state with accuracy the' cost of the improvements or the 

 produce of the land for two successive years, — and therefore cannot 

 bring myself within the rules of the Society. The other is, that the 

 experiment upon this lot has been much more successful and less 

 expensive than any other which I have thus far tried, and there- 

 fore I am able to offer it for your consideration, under the most 

 favorable circumstances. 



The piece contains two acres and two thirds, and nearly or quite 

 the whole of it is first rate peat. Previous to 1854 nothing grew 

 upon it except the very fine, short, wiry meadow-grass, which is 

 characteristic of the toughest peat bottoms. Its value for hay 

 would have scarcely paid the expense of cutting and curing. 



In the winter of 1854 about 30 cart loads of manure were hauled 

 upon it. This was carried upon the meadow just in the state in 



