Smyrna times., 1872-03-27
DR. EuERsoN's I,EcTrRE ON DRAINAGE.

! DR.. EMERsoNs LECTURE ON DRAINAGE
J The citizens and farmers of this town and
vicinity assembled at the town hall on Satur-
, day afternoon last, CA. Stockly, Esq, in the
: chair, and Jos. ii. Hofecker, Secy,) to hear
5 the address of DIR. Cove Emerson, of Philad a,
on the subject of the reclamation of the wet
, lands of Kent co. The Doctor, being native
: of, and property holder in the county, was the
J better prepared to speak upon the subject in
question and his interest was awakened to it
mainly from this fact. According to his esti-
mate there are in the county $4,000 acres of
marsh lands; 10000 acres of neck lands,
low and sObby, and POO 900 acres Of forest or
swamp lands, which contained much the
richest soil Of the county if properly developed
by drainage. He was fully aware of the i'm
mense expenditure required for this, which
would be brought In question by practical men,
but he was prepared to show the pay" by the
practical tests that had been made in this and
other countries. In England 100000 acres of
marsh lands have been reclaimed and cultivated
to large profit for years. The celebrated
Haarlam canal, in Holland, constructed years
ago, rendered 40, 900 acres of the lowest mar
shes OF that country the most productive land in
1t. 1t cost 81, 100000 to accomplish it, but now
1t supports largeer population than any equal
extent OF farm lands in Holland. A man who
leased eight acres of the marsh lands in New
Jersey between Newark and New York, for a
nominal sum, was induced to underdrain it to
realize his rent, and in six years the eight acres
were sold for $4,000 Before the drainage it
could have been bought for $40 per acre. The
lecturer had 80 acres of low lands few miles
east OF Dover, which cost him about $40 per
acre to drain, and he realized $50 per acre for
it. The experience in England was that double
product was produced OH drained lands.
Swamp lands Were referred to at considerable
| length by the lecturer Our forest lands in the
western part OF the county from the ridge for
the great watershed between the two Bays.
In recaiming these swamps which were not
suthclently elevated to free themselves from the
superabundance of water, he recommended tie
use OF drain tile, which could be employed to
advantage where there was only an elevation
of six inches to the mile. In draining these
and all lands he pointed out the necessity of
consolidated effort among the farmers Indi,
vldual effort was almost useless He at one
time owned a farm near the State line,
west OF FELTON,, In what was known as
Sockum. 1t was an unhealthy, poor,
swampy tract. A consolidated effort on the
part OF eight farms had been effected for the
purpose OF draining it, and now the $500 acres
included IN these eight farms had become a
portion OF the most desirable agricultural tracts
IN the county. Wood county, Ohio, was
referred to in speaking Of swamp lands. In
that county $500, 900 had been expended in
the last few years in drainage alone, and now
what was formerly one of the poorest counties
IN that State was becoming one Of the richest
In point of population it had increased 6 900
while Kent CO., in this State, had increased
1000. Before the drainage its population was
less than Kent, but now it was greater by
10000.
The lecturer next referred to the sanitary
: of tho (,,l H.,
OF It's great importance on this point, and to
this end he recommended legislative enact
ment. Let there be drain laws, as we'll as road
laws, and let drainage be made compulsory, as
a sanitary regulation. The State would be
reimbursed by the incr, ased taxes from the
enhanced valuation of the land He was in
favor of drying up many Of the mill ponds Of
the county, where, in many instances they
Jailed to be profitable water powers, yet were
retained to the injury Of the health and
development of the sections where located
There were now less than % ponds along the
forest ridge Of the county, most of which it
would be better to drain off and put their beds
III cranberrles. The mills located upon them
could be much more prOtltably run by steam,
1t being now believed by many practical men
that steam Is more economical motive power
than water. Tie read letter from a Mr.
Bartlett, miller of Tllbot CO., to Hum
0chkiuS' III support OF THIS theory. These
ponds, but poor aud uncertain water powers at
best, were, in the summer season mere cess
pools to breed miasma and check material
development. Let them be vacated by legisla-
tive enactment. lie thought the sending of a
committee to visit Wood co., Ohio, would be a
wise move on the part of the farmers of Kent.
The advancement in Kent county, from what
the lecturer once knew it and what he now
saw 1t was attributable to three things-trans
portation, fertilizers and drainage. lie was
aware that his theories would meet with some
opposition, as new ideas are apt to do. Other
means OF advancement inaugurated by himself
and others had met with opposition in former
years. lie was one of those instrumental in
starting the first steamboat that ever made
regul ar trips from Smyrna creek, but his move
in that direction had its opponents They
had to succumb, however, and in 1888 the
steamboat Kent made her first trip to Philade
phla. Lands that were then worth but $40
per acre are now commanding 800 per acre
The lecturer was heartily applauded, at the
conclusion of his address, and a vote of thanks
rendered him for his most interesting paper.