-8- 
 
       The result? The death of Cow Grass, Spike Grass, Cord Grass, 
 
and Sedge.  (See photos above.) In other words -- starvation for the 
 
ducks, geese and muskrats that formerly fed on them. 
 
       Another factor still remains to be touched on. In the ponds 
 
on healthy marshes, as has been pointed out, there is normally a 
 
growth of Widgeon Grass and Sago Pond Weed. The photograph shows 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       A-1I     YTormal growth of Widgeon Grass in undrained 
             pond. 
 
this. it was found in undrained pockets less than two feet in ex- 
 
tent -- though it is more likely to be present in the larger ponds. 
 
When these ponds are ditched, these food plants die. A survey of 
 
ditched ponds in the Cain's Landing marsh showed none of this plant 
 
in ditched ponds -- while it was present in all unditched ponds. It 
 
is a melancholy fact that few ponds have been left unditched. The 
 
migrant water-fowl, the non-migrant muskrats, will find mighty slim 
 
picking this fall and winter in Delaware. 
 
       N~ow, let us look at a marsh that has been ditched nearly a 
 
year. This photograph, up a drainage ditch, marks the beginning of 
 
the end. 
 
 
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