g2 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



All readily admit that wliore water stands upon tlie surface^ 

 draininp: sufficicut to be well rid of it, is necessary and proper^ 

 but few comparatively, among us, understand the benefit to be 

 derived from a thorough drainage of all lands which overlie an 

 impervious or retentive subsoil, and thus contain stagnant water 

 beneath the surface. 



In England, this subject has been thoroughly investigated, and 

 extensively tested. Of its results, an intelligent observer says: 

 " There is something magical in the effect of draining. Both 

 meadow and arable lands are equally benefited by it. In the 

 meadows, marsh plants disappear; the hay produced, is at once 

 more abundant and of better quality. On the arable lands^ 

 even the most clayey, corn and roots shoot more vigorously, 

 are more healthy, and require less seed for a larger crop. 

 The climate itself, gains sensibly by it. The health of the in- 

 habitants is improved ; and in all cases where drainage has been 

 vigorously carried out, the mists of the foggy isle seem less 

 th'ick and heavy. Drainage was thought of for the first time, 

 ten years ago, and a million of hectares,* at least, are already 

 drained ; every thing promises that in ten years hence, almost 

 the whole of England will be so. It is as if the Island were 

 once more rising out of the sea." 



Capitalists there, are ready and willing to advance money to 

 drain lands needing it, taking no other security than the iii- 

 creased value of the land ; for instance, suppose a farm to be 

 valued at two thousand pounds ; to drain it would cost an- 

 other thousand pounds. The capitalist advances the needful 

 amount, taking a mortgage, conditioned that it shall not take 

 effect in any case upon the original appraisement of two thou- 

 sand pounds, but only upon the increased value beyond that 

 sum ; so that the owner hazards not a farthing in accepting the 

 terms. Surely, money-lenders, who will do this, must have 

 faith in the efficacy of drainage; nor is their confidence mis- 

 placed. Money judiciously expended in draining lands, is a 

 safe investment, either in Old England or in New England. It 

 may not pay so large a per ccntagc of profit here, for labor 

 being higher, it costs more to drain ; nor do farm crops bring so 



* The hectare is nearly two and a half English acros.. 



