204 



RECLAIMING SWAMP LANDS. 



The above table includes nearly, if not quite, all the 

 species of sedges known and described as growing in 

 this country, and is thought to be very complete. 



As already intimated, none of these coarse sedges are 

 rich in nutritive elements, and none are worthy of cul- 

 tivation. The farmer's care should be to eradicate them, 

 and supply their places with the higher and more nutri- 

 tious grasses. This may be done by thorough draining, 

 an operation which lies at the foundation of all success- 

 ful management of low lands, and without which they 

 are comparatively worthless, while, if properly re- 

 claimed, they are among the best and most productive 

 lands on the farm. 



When properly improved, and sown to the higher 

 and better grasses, like Timothy, redtop, orchard grass, 

 rough-stalked meadow, <fec., they will produce the most 

 luxuriant crops for several years in succession, often 

 paying the cost of improvement the first year. Low 

 grounds and swamps are the farmer's muck-beds. Thou- 

 sands of acres of such lands now lie worthless and 

 unproductive, waiting only to be reclaimed to add vastly 

 to the material wealth of the country. 



