86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



Europe, a dozen years since. Over twenty-five varieties have been faithfully tested. The 

 only one I would add to the Societies' List for 1867, is Long Bunched Holland, the latest 

 variety in ripening. As the name indicates, bunches are long, berries of good size, much 

 the strongest grower in the collection. 



REJECTED LIST BY SAMUEL EDWARDS. 



Attractor, Belle of St. Gilles, Champaign, Chasselar, Fertile D' Angers, D' Pnlnau, 

 Magnum Bonum, Prince Albert, Knight's Large Red, Native of Berlin, Red Grape, Short 

 Bunched Red, Silver Striped, Wilmot's Grape. 



Wm. P. Pierson, of Onarga, Iroquois county, read an essay on 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF UNDERDRAINING. 



The Necessity and Importance of Tile-Draining in Illi- 

 nois — Our Resources and our Facilities for Executing 

 the Work. 



The end of all draining is the removing of surplus water from the soil. All intelli- 

 gent men agree in the position, that there can be no healthy growth of grain or other 

 ordinary vegetation, in soil whose surface is covered with water any considerable por- 

 tion of the period necessary to their germination of growth. 



Hence all persons attach more or less importance to the removing of surface water 

 from the soil, as one of the means of preparing it for the production of healthy vege- 

 tation. But there are comparatively few who seem to appreciate the importance, and 

 much less comprehend the necessity of removing surplus water lying immediately 

 under the surface. 



It matters but little, however, whether the line of the water level be a little above or 

 a little below the surface ; there can be no healthy germination or growth of ordinary 

 vegetation, in soils that are saturated with water any considerable portion of the year. 

 It has been found by actual experiment that a soil of average porosity will absorb and 

 hold in suspension, about one-half of its bulk of water. When filled to saturation, it 

 will hold about three-fourths of its bulk of water. Now accumulated water upon the 

 surface, and the accumulated water of saturation under the surface, are both equally 

 injurious to all common vegetation. There are three ways for this surplus water to 

 escape : one, by surface drainage ; another, by the slow and chilling process of evap- 

 oration ; and a third, by the means of an outlet in the soil. 



And here let it not be forgotten, that water, especially rain-water, performs impor- 

 tant functions in the soil. It is not sufficient to provide for carrying off the surface, 

 as many seem to suppose. Rain-water possesses highly valuable fertilizing elements ; 

 :<nd hence, it should be hoarded and saved, every gallon of it that falls upon our land. 

 Every facility should be provided for it to pass down through the soil, and to deposit 

 in its passage the rich fertilizing materials that it has gathered in its descent through 

 the air from the clouds. 



The fact, moreover, must not be overlooked, that the soil receives other collateral 

 benefits from the passage of rain-water down through it to an outlet below, in distinc- 

 tion from flowing off from, or over its surface. In its flow to an outlet iu the sub-soil, 



