Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/192

172&#93; 172] MAR in such pastures, fatten speedily : Day, it is by some writers,, though we bflieve, erroneously asserted, that sheep feeding on them, are preserved from the rot. Without attempting to decide this question, we shall observe that it will be ad- visable to raise a bank, and plant it with trees, if possible, in the midst of the marsh, either crosswise, or in a semi-circle : they would afford a shelter for the cattle, and rn a few years repay the expence of forming the plantation. If the soil be situated near the sea, it will also be requisite to form ponds or re- seiToirs for the reception of the rain, in order that the sheep, tkc, may at all times be furnished with .sweet water. Such fer.ce or trees will, at the same time^ serve to in- tercept the sea-breezes, wiiich often Tiip the tops of the grass, if unshel- tered from their intiuence. In <>rder to convert a marsh into firm cr arable land, it should iirst be drained, in tb.e manner described in p. 162 and foil, of our 2d vol. Its various parts ought next to be wholly chrsnged : 1. By frequent ploughing, harrowing, and burn- ing; 2. By the addition of marie, clay, gravel, or other heavy sub- stances ; 3. By such matters as a^l ehemicallv upon the soil, nnd bring its latent principles into aftion ; for instance, lime, chalk, alkaline salts, &C. i 4. By spreading those ma- nures which have a large propor- tion of fat, or mucilage ; such as putrid fish, sea-weed, stable-dung. Sec. ; because marsh-lands rarely contain any animiSl substances, which are, in a great measure, the chief constituent parts of a rich soil. — Lastly, by compression, either by the treadiiig of rattle, or by the use of foUing-rariSj and similar heavy iiDpkraenii. M A R In the Transa6tions of the " American Philosophical Society," we meet with an ingenious inquiry into the causes of the insalubrity of flat and marshy situations ; toge- ther with diredtions for obviating or correcting their effedts, by Mr. William Cuerie. His pian aims at introducing and increasing the proportion of ozi/gen gas in the super-incumbent atmosphere, and preventing its future obstruction, by cutting off or diminishing the sources of putrefaction. He pro- poses to cffeA this object, by cairy^ ingoftthe stagnant waters through drains, or trenches ; and, v.here the soil will not admit of these, by the aid of wells. With the same intention, all dead weeds, grass, and wood, are to be bnrned ; all lints, sinks, or hollows, tilled up with sand, clay, or lime ; and these should he adorned with vigorous plants and grasses, particularly such as flourisli late in the season ; be- cause vegetables, continually ex- posed to the rays of light, decom- pose the water imbibed from the earth, and thus replenish the at- mosphere widi oxygen, or pure vital air. Where marshv situations are too extensive to render them complete- ly dry, they ought to be constantly flooded, by means ot dams and sluices, to prevent the eff'eds of putretadion. — Lastly, to obviate still farther the pernicious conse- quences of residing near raarslies or mill-ponds, it will be useful to plant between those waters and the dwelling-housc", rows of such trees as vegetate rapidly, and retain their verdure to a late period ot the year, so that the humid vapours may be intercepted, while such vegetables furnish a constant supply of oxygen to the atiuosphcre. Marsh-