REMEDIES AGAINST MOSQUITOES 205 



ject of the reclamation of marshes, and their producing- value is 

 little understood. All know, of course, in a general way, of the 

 notable instance in the case of Holland ; but that nearly a mill- 

 ion acres have been rescued from the sea under the greatest dif- 

 ficulties and expense in that land, and have been made to pay 

 on the investment, is not fully realized. And the same may be 

 said on this continent in the upper and middle Atlantic sea- 

 board, as well as on the Pacific side. Many marshes are of allu- 

 vial formation, and there are numerous instances of the contin- 

 uous production of enormous croj^s of almost every kind for 

 scores of years without the use of any fertilizers. Cases exist, 

 however, of persons being unwilling to be convinced, and contin- 

 uing their opposition even after a successful reclamation, as are 

 seen in the official records of Massachusetts^ where examinations 

 by the state have shown a great improvement in the sanitary 

 and agricultural conditions. In the instance of Green Harbor, 

 in that state, it is shown that the death-rate of the reclaimed 

 district averages lower than the general death-rate of the 

 state, that there is a steady increase in summer visitors, and 

 that many houses are being built. The testimony of persons 

 of wide knowledge and ample experience in the science and art 

 of agriculture is adduced, showing the good results in that field, 

 and yet it fails to silence opposers. Besides mentioning tlie re- 

 markably heavy crops of hay, much preferred by his horses to 

 the best from the uplands, also the excellent crops of strawber- 

 ries and vegetables raised in these lands, one such qualified ob- 

 server gives his experience as to asparagus in such convincing 

 words that they are quoted in full : "■ While visiting the Marsh- 

 field Meadows on April 19, 1807, I found asparagus already up, 

 very nearly high enough to cut. I was surprised at this, for my 

 own asparagus had but just appeared above the surface of the 

 ground, although growing on land so warm that I am usually 

 first to ship native asparagus to Boston market. I was also sur- 



