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of fresh water, about 234-3 miles in n diameter, with an almost 
uniform depth of about 6 feet. The surface is now about 22 
feet above mean tide level; but previous to the completion of 
recent drainage operations it was somewhat higher. 
The lake may be reached by means of any of the several 
artificial channels which have been cut through the swamp. 
Washington and Jericho ditches are only navigable at high water, 
by small boats or canoes, which have to be poled carefully and 
more or less laboriously, by reason of the vegetation which has 
grown into the sides, and the trees which have fallen across in 
many places, during recent years. In periods of drought these 
ditches often become dry and may be used as foot paths or trails. 
The Dismal Swamp Canal, however, is a permanent, broad 
artificial channel, which will probably be made a part of the great 
interior waterway which is planned to extend from New Jersey 
to Florida. It is navigable for steamboats of small size and is 
sufficiently wide for steamboats and barges to easily pass each 
other. The ‘‘feeder,’’ by means of which it is connected with 
Lake Drummond, is also a wide channel, navigable at all times 
for row boats, motor-boats, etc., as far as the upper lock, within 
about three-fourths of a mile of the lake. This lock controls the 
water of the lake, and a lower one, at Deep Creek, controls the 
entrance to the canal at tide-water. 
During the past year I was fortunate in being able to visit the 
swamp under unusually favorable conditions, as one of a party 
all of whom were guests of the Lake Drummond Canal Company. 
The company provided transportation from Norfolk, by steam- 
boat, up the canal to the mouth of the feeder; thence by large 
rowboats, towed by a motor-launch, up the feeder to the lock 
near Lake Drummond, where a camp site had been prepared on 
the bank of the feeder, and tents and two days supply of pro- 
visions provided. This site was perfectly dry, in a partly cleared 
area on the border of the forest and was admirably adapted for 
the purpose. One night was spent there and the following day 
ake Drummond was navigated in rowboats, to the mouth of 
Washington Ditch, where a transfer was made to smaller boats, 
which were poled up the ditch to Suffolk. From thence the 
