1874-Annual Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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15 natural channel, had caused the water above their road to rise as high as it did before the construction of their road,. aucl in fact to set the current back to the central part of the meadow above Bedford street. And before opening the loner culvert, they had so obstructed the water that the lower part of, Mr. Tidd's meadow was actually submerged in an ordinary fall of rain. Instead, therefore, of the Rail- road furnishing suitable drainage, it actually obstructed the natural flow of water, and caused it to rise higher than be- fore—as some on the easterly side- of the Railroad will probably realize before next May. With reference to the meadows on Vine Brook, we are free to say that in extent and in importance, they have ex-: ceeded our anticipation. The survey revealed the fact that each branch of the brook, furnished a broad width of mead- ows over a mile in length, all of which might be made very. productive. There is also a belt of upland near the village, which has ever been deemed unfit for building purposes, from the fact that dwellings thereon would have water in: their cellars. But deepening the channel in the meadows; two or three feet, will render that land lit for the builder's use, arid so adcl very materially to its value. The benefits arising from the drainage, will not be confined to the mead- ows alone. The adjoining upland, in some cases, 'will greatly participate in the blessing. Every farmer knows that there is generally a strip of land bordering upon mead- ows, too wet for tillage, and often the most unproductive land on the farm. Draining will so far alter its character, that it can be improved for tillage, and thus .this unsightly and comparatively barren strip of land will be made pro- ductive, as well as the land on both sides. The survey on the southern branch of Vine Brook, com- menced on laud of Mr. Moakley, nearly opposite the dwell- ing house of Mr. Patch, on Middle street, and the drain may be cheaply extended in Mr. Moakley's meadows above that point. .From the point where we commenced the sur-