32 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



and other forms of summer and autumnal disease, prevailed 

 extensively every season. About twenty years ago the reclaiming 

 of meadows and swamps was commenced, and, up to the pres- 

 ent time, between thirty and forty acres have been converted 

 into productive land. The effect has been wonderful. During 

 ten years past, not a case of malignant fever has originated in 

 those neighborhoods, formerly so sickly ; and the parish has be- 

 come one of the most healthy places in the State. Last year, 

 but four deaths occurred in a population of about seven hundred 

 — three infants, and one adult aged 86 years. Indeed, there is 

 not a spot in the Commonwealth that I can now^more confidently 

 recommend for a residence, on the score of salubrity. What has 

 been effected here^ may be effected elsewhere, by similar pro- 

 cess ; and I respectfully submit to landowners in sickly neigh- 

 borhoods, whether the work is not, in every point of view, wor- 

 thy of more general prosecution. 



Last year, in a report by the Society's Committee on Meadow 

 and Swamp Land, a scientific and practical survey of the mea- 

 dows of the county was recommended. Such a survey, thor- 

 oughly executed, would be highly advantageous to the farming 

 interest, and reflect deserved credit on the Society. 



Beverly, September 30^A, 1846. 



Samuel C. Pitman'' s Statem^ent. 



The swamp to which I have called your attention is com- 

 posed in part of muck and part of sandy clay soil, and contains 

 ten acres and twelve rods. In the year 1839, the first year I 

 came to live on the farm, — and, by the way, the first year of turn- 

 ing my attention to farming, — this land was so thickly covered 

 with brush, brake and briars, that it was with great difficulty a 

 man could walk through it. A few years previous to this, it 

 contained a heavy growth of hard wood. In August, 1840, I 

 had the brush and brake cut and burned. In June, 1841, I 

 commenced pulling the stumps, which averaged, large and small, 

 five hundred to the acre. One hired man, with myself and one 

 yoke of oxen, cleared about three acres in twenty days. The 



