147 



by no means a singular proof, how little^lie farmers of one part of a 

 country know of those plans which are practiced^in'^another part'of the 

 same nation. Any opinions advanced by Mr. Pusey are deserving of 

 attention, he has for a long time occupied a prominent place among the 

 leading agriculturists of Great Britain :|I was sorry ^to perceive _^his 

 name in the obituaries of June, 1855. His memory willfbeg revered 

 by every lover of agricultural improvement. 



Before the operation of draining is commenced,|the nature of the 

 strata should be closely observed, in order^to "detect the cause which 

 renders draining necessary. Some soils^are Avet by springs, which rising 

 in the higher parts of the field, spread over^the surface and keep the 

 soil in a constant state of moisture. 



Kain water, not having a proper fall, or outlet,°or^ being prevented 

 from sinking into the earth, by an impervious subsoil, sometimes causes 

 much injury to vegetation. 



In some cases, rivers and creeks are obstructed by dams or floodwood 

 and the w-ater rises and flows back on the adjoining ^"plains. From 

 ■whatever source it arises, stagnant water|is injurious to animal and veg- 

 etable life. 



Various p'ans of draining have been invented, or recommended by 

 scientific men. I will give a description of every improved method. 

 From these plans the farmer can select whatever system is best suited to 

 his locality. It Is wrong to adopt any plan at the recommendation of. 

 ita inventor, without being fully satisfied of its superiority. 



TUE ELKINGTOX SYSTEM OF DRAINING 



Is 80 called after Joseph Elkington, a farmer of Warwickshire, Eng- 

 land, who in 1764 accidentally discovered a system of draining, which 

 was very much thought of at the time, and very extensively practiced 

 in England for many years after. 



Elkington was plagued with a wet farm, and tried many ways of 

 draining it. Once when digging a deep drain in one of his fields, he 

 forced a crow bar through the bottom of the trench, and on withdraw- 

 ing it was surprised to find it followed by a copious and permanent 

 supply of water. He took the hint and improved upon it. He stud- 

 ied the geological structure of the earth, and the nature of the several 

 strata, endeavored to catch the springs at the fountain head, and to con- 

 vey them away by judicious draining. His system principally consisted 



