The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-03-20
Undertaking Land.


the Eastern States remains as waste
land, because no one has taken the
trouble to bring it into productive
condition. The wet land is generally
the richest land. The fertility of the
higher land, for ages, has been wash
ing down and collecting in the hollows,
swamps, and wet places, and very lit
tie, if any, of this fertility has been re-
moved by crops or in other ways.
When country is first settled, the
higher land is more easily cleared and
brOugbt into productive condition
than the low land The low land needs
draining as well as clearing, and conse-
qucntly it is left until the value of land
increases to such an extent that the
owner feels that he can afford to be to
the necessary expense of draining it.
There are thousands of acres in every
one of the older States which need
draining, and which would well repay
the expense of doing it.
Draining has not been extensively
practiced, and farmers are backward
about engaging in it. Those who have
tried draining have found that it well
repays the expense incurred. Nearly
every farm has more or less land that
might be improved by draining. So
long as land is saturated with Stagnlnt
water it will not prove productive,
however rich it may be. An excess of
water in cultivated lands prevents
washin: them early in the spring, and
the evaporation of the water cOolS the
soil so that it is colder than well drained
land. By drainage. the land is made
warmer, and the season during which
the crops can oe growing on it is length
ened-two very desirable improve
mentS.
The fertility and productiveness of
wet lands are well demonstrated by the
abundant crops which are obtained
after they are thoroughly undetermined
A few instances of the profitableness of
draining may be given. A piece
of rough pasture land in Essex County,
Massachusetts, containing two and
seven-eighths acres, worth Sl20, was
cleared of alders, birches and buckle
berry bushes and stones, and then I'M
derdrained. The cost of clearing,
draining and. cultivating during five
years was S1,5O7, including cost of
land. The total receipts during the
same time, reckoning the land worth
$3.50, was 81, 462 The profit for four
years on this piece of two and seven
eighths acres of rough pasture land was
1855, leaving the land in good condi-
ton and well underdrained three and
one-half feet deep. Understanding
certainly paid in this instance. An acre
of swamp land was purchased for S17,
was ditched and worked at an expense
of 800 for four years, during which
time it yielded hay and potatoes worth
S132, and left the acre worth 800 in.
stead of 81.
In Michigan twenty-five acres Of
swales producing only bog grass, flags,
rushes and other worthless rubbish,
were tile drained at an expense OF
$3.50. The grass product the first year
after draining was worth $3.50, while
the product previously had not been
worth anything.
An Ontario, New York farmer had
twelve acres of land which was so wet
that except upon knobs it would not
produce wheat. He laid drains two
and half feet deep and thirty-six feet
apart at a cost of $50 per acre, and
ploughed deep He could then raise
forty bushels of wheat per acre.
In the New Hampshire Agricultural
report for 1905, George F. Beede
states that on 81 acres of low land,
from which he got only L! tons of hay
before draining, he cut, after draining,
in one season, eight tons of cured hay,
in two crops. The increase in the crop
at market prices would have paid fol
the draining, which cost fifty dollars
per acre. Mr.. Beede adds: What q
rush there would be among capitalist;
if there was an investment paying from
so to 100 per cent. annually! Farmer;
have Just such an investment in drain
ing their wet lands, and seeding them
with the grasses. 81 9r3
Peter Henderson, in his Gardening
for Profit" gives an instance ola Ger
man who leased for ten years, eight
| acres of land near New York. After
working it for three years, with late anC
stinted crops that barely afforded him 8
living, he was advised to drain it, but
! hesitated. as his lease had but sever
wears to run. He finally acted on the
advice, and spent 500 in tile draining
He then obtained early and luxnrian
crops. and at the termination of hi
Ilease, purchased and paid for his eigh
acres ST., 0eo- the savings of six year
on his drained garden. 1 honestl!
believe" says Mr.. Henderson, THAT
had he gone. on without draining. h,
world not have made $1,000 in twelv,
years. far less SO, 600 in six years.
j NeD England Farmer. wy
Edgar Ross, of Cincinnati, met ,