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on some land owned by myself, and for
several successive years, their crops yielded
from 15 to 18 Bushels for one.

After the acadians had been settled some
time, it was suggested to them, that in Europe
lands which were enriched by the [ouze?] or mud
which was brought on the low lands, having been
inclosed by dikes or seabanks, had become very
fertile. and as many places bordering on the
river which lay flat & some of them swamps,
had been coverd with this [ouze?] or mud for
the thickness of two feet, on which there
grew a kind of grass whose roots were so strong
as to keep the sods almost solid, they took
of these and set up banks against the rivers,
and by degrees, enclosed in this manner, large
tracts. Some islands which were on these swamps
assisted them very much in the purpose by
making the dikes between them. Several of
these Salt Marshes have been enclosed by dykes
since the year 1760. and becoming very profitable,
In three years after they are inclosed, the
lands becomes so [fresh?] as to bear good
grass and may then be ploughd. but there
is a particular nicety required in ploughing
them & ploughs are constructed on purpose,
about an [Inch?] and half is the depth of the first
ploughing, and must never exceed three inches.
the crop of grass will yield two tons of hay
to an acre.

There are of these Diked lands large tracts at