264 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



may choose to demand, the -vrork not being of that character which would 

 authorize the taking by legal appraisement. The price named in the 

 annexed summary ($20 per acre,) is believed to be higher than has at any 

 time been paid for it, unless when sold in lots of a few acres each, in par- 

 ticularly favorable situations : and much more than any income which 

 could be derived from it would warrant a purchaser in paying, unless for 

 the purpose of improving and rendering it productive. 



But the propriety of undertaking the work will very much depend upon 

 the terms which can be made with the present proprietors, either for the 

 absolute purchase, or for receiving the land in payment of subscriptions to 

 the capital stock of such corporation as may be erected for that purpose. 



Summary of Estimates. 



13,000 acres of marsh land, at $20 per acre, $260,000 00 



Steam engine, 120 horse-power, engine house, boilers, drain- 

 ing wheels, and machinery complete,. 75,000 00 



Catch-water drain, 8 miles in length,. 8,448 00 



Embankment, lOJ miles, 33,726 00 



Drains, water-courses, &c., -^ of the surface, or 406.25 acres, 



4 feet mean depth, at 20 cents per cubic yard, 524,33^3 20 



901,507 20 

 Engineering aad contingencies,. ..,..,.....,. . , <, 90,150 72 



$991,657 92 



As the land on Belleville ridge is valued at from $2QQ to §400 per acre, 

 and that on the western slope of Bergen Mil sells at from $400 to- ? 

 it is believed that Hackensack meadow land, if properly drained and pre- 

 pared for cultivation, would readily bring, in the market, $250 per acre ; 

 as in addition to its proximity to New York and Newark markets, the soil 

 would, for a long time require little, if any manure, and its cultivation 

 would be cheap, being light and easily worked. 



Value of 1,300 acres at 6250,, $3,250,000 00 



Cost when improved,, , 991,657 92 



Profits, $2,258,342 08 



THE FENCE QUESTION. 



This question was called up, and Joseph Bhtnt was requested to open 

 the discussion. The following is the substance of his remarks, which were 

 listened to with the most marked attention by an assemblage made up, in a 

 great measure, by men who have a strong pecuniary interest in this impor- 

 tant question. Mr, Bluut is a well known lawyer of this city, whose legal 

 opinions are entitled to much respect. He said : 



The expense and labor of fencing in this country, periodically renewed, 

 render it one of the most important subjects that can engage the attention 

 of the American farmer. 



