The Portland daily press., 1879-05-07
AGRICULTURAL.
RecIaiming Salt Marshes.

The extensive salt marshes on the sea
coast of Maine possess fertizpg elements
equal to the best of our nplands OF the rich
prairies of the west; and being on the coast
near good markets give them the preference.
This is coming to be better understood, and
the inquiry is frequently made, what can be
done to improve their condition and render
their productiveness available, SO as to be a
source of income to their owners and beautfy
the country? These marshes are generally
divided into small lots held in common, this
divided by lines, SO that while many would
be glad to do what they could to improve
them, others object, either on the ground OF
expense or disbelieving in the utility of it.
Now, being so fully convinced of its prac-
ticability as matter of profit, and that it
would greatly add to the agriculture of our
State, wish to make few suggestions
on the subject.
Having occasion some ten years ago to in
vestigate this matter somewhat, In cNnnec-
ton with the board of agriculture, found, to
my surprise, every man or company of men,
irons New Jersey to Nova Scotia, who had
undertaken to reclaim salt marshes by
dikibg, had found 1t not only practicable but a
profitable investment. Land and crops had
advanced from two to four fold or more in
value. Instead of salt hay OF inferior quality
they now get good English hay, and much
more of it. Other crops when cultivated
produce abundant harvests of cereals, roots
OF all kinds and other heed crops. And VIII at
Is better, as every farmer knows, without the
application Of any manure. In fact, where
manure was applied as an experiment it did
rot increase the yield.
What is true OF the diked marshes in this
country holds good in cider countries where
diking has been practiced longer and at
much greater expense. About the year 1906
two hundred and twenty-five acres on the
river Hallowdale in the North of Scotland,
were diked at cost of So, 66S. Before be.
ing diked it rented at fifteen shillings per
acre, yielding an income of e166. After it
was diked it rented for forty shillings per
acre, yielding an income of e444, gain OF
927S or 10 IL per cent. on the outlay, per
annum. Admiral Bentrick speaks OF dikiDg
one hundred and eighty acres, near Ply
mouth, at an expense of 94, 900, yield ing a
clear profit OF $3.50 a year. In the Neither
lands, cases might be mentioned much more
extensive aud at greater cost, but enough has
been mentioned to show that salt marshes
can be diked and made profitable.
There seems to be difference in the tex
ture Of the soil in different localities, yet
there is wonderful similarity in their pro-
ductive power, and what is OF still greater
importance, marshes that have been diked
fifty years or more, still retain their fertility
and weld abundant harvests.
DikDg in this immediate locality is COM
paratiVely new enterprise, yet what has
been done foreshadows success. Six years
ago about four hundred acres were diked by
the Little River DIking Company, mostly in
Saco, at Cost of one dollar aud fifty cents
per acre, and in 1878 about six hundred acres
were diKed by the Southgale d King Co.,
mostly In Scarboro', al cost of ten dollars,
fifty cents per acre. These marshes are very
similar, being mostly avegetable deposit, with
some dead fish aud birds that frequently
driited up Oh the water as il flowed III from
the sea and the wash from the uplands sur
rounding them. The principal grasses grow.
ing upon them were black grass and fox grass
on the higher portions, goose grass aud
thatch on the low marsh. The sward IS
tough, matty and ferrous, as you go deeper it
is black or brownish vegetable mould from
two to fifteen feet deep. Grass oply has been
grown ON the Little River Dixie. For three
yeass it grew large crops of the natural
grasses. Then the salt seemed to be so far
exhausted that the sod began to decay, and
those that sowed English seed saw it vegetate
and grow, producing from two to thee tons
OF timothy and brown top per acre. But
where seed was not sown weeds OF all kinds
grew most abundantly. Last year 1.-THE first
after diking) the natural grasses on the
Southgate dixie grew so stout that they
lodged before the middle of June, and had to
be cut before upland haying. A little was
ploughed and cultivated, and it did well.
Grass seed was sown on bare spots or where
there was no sward; some grew well, but
much OF it died out when the excessive heat
and drought of summer drew the sadness
below to the surface
Now, il any wish to improve their salt
marshes, we come to the conclusion: First.
shut off the salt water in the best way it eau
be done. Then if dItching is necessary in
any part of it to shed fresh water, do that.
Then il you grow grass only cut it till the
natural grasses die out, then SOW seed. Or
ii you cultivate other crops, treat them as
you would on upland. Seth Scamnaon,
President OF Southgdte Diking Co. ScdrbOrO'.