68 



TEANSACXIOJfS. 



IlEPORT ON KECLAIMED SWAMPS. 



BY HOX. JOSEPH SMITH. 



It is peculiarly fortunate, M-hen the performance of a particular 

 duty harmonizes with the tastes of those, who have to fulfil it. For 

 then the mind, instead of dragging the slow length of its ideas along, 

 moves witli alacrity, and imparts to others a jwrtion, at least, of the 

 satisfaction which itself enjoys. 



Such is the happy position of the Committee. Merc swamps had 

 teen cold, wet and dreary, but that word, reclaimed, not merely 

 made our duty less irksome, but rendered it positively delightful. 

 The idea of reclaiming any thing, quickens the pulsation of every 

 generous heart, because it presupposes a downward career, and a ten- 

 dency to the region of hopelessness ; and to be instrumental in the 

 extrication of any thing spiritual, animal or vegetable from this dark 

 abode, this mournful fete, must aflbrd satisfaction to any one possess- 

 ed of right feeling. The sensation of rescuing from hopelessness and 

 restoring to utility, can be no other than a pleasing one. Is it noth- 

 ing to make the barren womb of earth to rejoice, by causing it to be 

 the fruitful mother of abundant produce r We have authority, which 

 it would be impious to question, that there is more joy in heaven 

 over one sinner, that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just per- 

 sons, that need no repentance. May we not reverentially adopt this 

 heaven-born sentiment, and, in the appropriation of it to our worldly 

 affinities, venture to feel that there is more joy, not only in making 

 two blades of grass grow where one grew before, but also in making 

 one grov,% where none grew before ; than there is in beholding the 

 vast, immeasurable extent of indigenous vegetation, however luxu- 

 riant, that clothes the western prairie ? 



It is gratifying to observe the progress, made for some time past in 

 reclaiming waste and swamp lands. In the ten years, between 1840 

 and 1850, not less than two hundred and thirty-nine thousand nine 

 hundred and eighty-seven acres were reclaimed and made productive 

 throughout this State. The pasture land has been turned into mow- 

 ing and tillage, and the unimproved land, into pasturage or tillage. 



The profit arising from reclaimed land, is said to be, on an average, 

 fifty per cent. ; in some cases, it is very large ; and lands so reclaim- 



