Did someone warned him?
 "Way back in time, a man called Dennis tried to start a farm here. He built that cottage over there to live in. In those days, the area looked quite different ---- it was covered with tall trees and the swamp was a crystal-clear river. After three hard years, Dennis had cleared several fields and planted crops. He was so proud of his success that he refused to listen to advice. 

"'You are clearing too much land,' warned one old man. ' The land is a living thing. It will hit back at you if you abuse it. '  