FARMS. 79 



of the intelligence, industry and perseverance of the farmer, 

 upon which his posterity can look with grateful pride and 

 satisfaction. 



In a discussion of the subject of drainage, at a late meeting 

 of the society, in Dedham, it was remarked, by a gentleman 

 who is perfectly conversant with the matter, that " drainage is 

 regarded as the greatest agricultural improvement of the nine- 

 teenth century."' It is a subject which yet remains to be consid- 

 ered and understood by the mass of farmers in this county. 

 And we cannot do them a better service than by recommending 

 to their careful examination the treatise on drainage, recently 

 published by Hon. Henry F. French. This work is the fruit of 

 much observation and reflection by an eminently judicious, 

 practical farmer, as well as sound scholar, and is believed to be 

 the most thorough work upon the subject adapted to the wants 

 of the farmers of New England. 



We have often had occasion to remark upon the tenacity 

 with which many formers still keep their swamps and swales 

 in a natural condition ; under a false idea that, in this condi- 

 tion, they produce more grass than would be possible if they 

 were drained. The fact is, as experience has often proved, 

 that, if the work were properly done, they would yield at least 

 an equal if not greater quantity of grass, while the quality of 

 it would be superior. Indeed the beneficial effects of drain- 

 age, upon all such lands, can hardly be overestimated. If 

 judiciously applied, it changes and ameliorates the whole char- 

 acter of the soil. It may also be safely and with benefit resorted 

 to, whenever a moderate degree of moisture remains apparent 

 in the earth through the season. Nor needs the common fear 

 of the effect of drought to be regarded. For, contrary to the 

 general apprehension, and paradoxical as it is, experience has 

 proved that the most thoroughly drained lands are least effected 

 by excessive droughts. Even the proper use of the subsoil 

 plough is known to be followed with a similar result. And so 

 highly is the temperature of moist lands raised by thorough 

 drainage, that a farmer in the eastern part of Maine, who has 

 thoroughly drained his farm, now says of it, that his farm has 

 been removed to Maryland ; and that, whereas, he could once 

 only grow potatoes and poor grass, he can now raise and enjoy, 



