18 



adding a small quantity of manure. By this process it has been 

 converted into good mowing land. For a particular description of 

 the process of reclaiming wet meadow land, in this and the follow- 

 ing instances, the Committee would refer to the statements accomn 

 panying this report. 



Col. Putnam has at different times reclaimed about two acres and 

 three-quarters of wet meadow — the last acre and a quarter in 1627, 

 23 and 29 — by ditching and carrying on sand in large quantities. 

 Loam he thinks will not do for this purpose. The expence has 

 been large, but the net income of the meadow since the improve- 

 ment has amounted on an average to twelve dollars an acre an- 

 nually. Both Mr. Osgood and Col. Putnam have in turn obtained 

 the first premium offered by this Society for the besl cultivated farm. 



Mr. Colman's reclaimed meadow on his farm in Lynn, near 

 Salem, was examined by the Committee. Several acres of wet 

 land, nearly worthless before, have been effectually drained and 

 and now produce large crops in grass and tillage. This improve- 

 ment has been made by means of covered drains, excepting the 

 main drain, and the operation seems to have been conducted in a 

 very judicious and ecoiiomical manner. The Committee think the 

 mode adopted by Mr. Colman a very good one, and perhaps the 

 best where it is practicable. For a very satisfactory account of this 

 improvement they would refer to his statement. This farm has 

 been but three or four years in the possession of Mr. Colman ; 

 and the Committee are not acquainted with any farm in the Coun- 

 ty where greater improvements have been made in so short a 

 time, or prosecuted with more judgment and on a better system. 



The farm of the late Col. Pickman, of Salem, now owned by his 

 family, and occupied by Mr, Erastus Ware, was visited by your 

 Committee. This farm, which 'is known to be among the largest 

 and best cultivated farms in the County, has been described in a 

 former report to this Society. Agriculture is carried on by Mr. 

 Ware with skill and success, and the farm is becoming gradually 

 more rich and productive. 



As only a part of the Committee were able to visit and ex- 

 amine the Meadows entered for premiums in two instances ; your 

 Committee think it may be more satisfactory to refer the award of 

 the premiums altogether to the decision of the Trustees. 

 Respectfully submitted, 



F. HOWES, Chairman. 

 December 30, 1829. 



