1843-09-17 _ToStory2_1831_014_002

main road all the way to the gate, and
several rods beyond it, thus finishing all that
part which is usually seen by visitors who ride
out from Boston or Cambridge. The estimate for
the whole front fence is about $18.700 of which
it will be sure that 10.000 is more than half. The
remaining lesser half we should be able to finish in
a year or two --

2. For obtaining pure water we should
begin a ditch or drain, at the salt marsh as low
as the tide water, and continue it into Meadow Pond,
thence by a channel, or culvert, into Forest, and
Garden Pond, and from the latter into the meadow
west of the Gate. This would enable us to drain
our low grounds, & drain & clean out the ponds,
and if, as Mr Howe thinks, we should strike springs,
we might have running water, without going to
Fresh Pond. But if not, this enterprise may be
extended hereafter. I should think $4000. sufficient
for the above purpose. Mr Coolidges consent
must be obtained to a ditch through his low land
near Charles River.

3. A Hedge is wanted on the three back
sides. The principal expense would be for digging
a trench & filling it with soil from the ponds.
Mr Howe can raise the plants at a trifling cost.

4. A Chapel such as you propose might
be erected of rough stone on some Gothic model, for
less than $5000. I think. We must select some
spot with sufficient unoccupied ground to be kept