LECTURES AND ESSAYS READ AT INSTITUTES. 297 



-crop on its entire surface, and one which is either naked, or what is worse, 

 growing up to weeds, and a strong additional argument in favor of drainage 

 is presented. 



But over and above all this, which some may say is overdrawn, is the act- 

 ual difference in the amount raised. In working a ten acre field it makes 

 a great difference in the returns whether you have a crop from eight and one- 

 half or nine acres or the full ten acres. It is a greater difference than men 

 •engaged in any other business than farming would permit at all, and it is 

 greater than any intelligent farmer will permit when it can be so easily 

 avoided. One-tenth or more of your income from the field gone, and a larger 

 •outlay for cultivation than if properly drained, often causing the loss in a sin- 

 gle year of a larger amount than would have been expended to have properly 

 drained the field, and which if properly put in would have lasted for twenty 

 years at least, and would have saved an amount equal to the original outlay, 

 each year, for fifteen out of the twenty years. 



There is no doubt that on most lands where no draining has been done, that 

 .a large amount can be done, which when all the advantages to be gained are 

 taken into consideration, will pay every year an amount equal to the first cost 

 of the drain. After that which is needed most is completed, t'aere will be 

 much more to do that will not make so large a return, but still sufficiently 

 'large to make it a better investment than almost any use to which a farmer 

 •can put his money. Some men say this is all well enough for those who are 

 out of debt and can afford it, but that a man in debt can not do such things. 

 The reverse, however, is true. If a man is out of debt and has some other 

 sources of income, he can drain or not, as he may elect; but a man who is in 

 debt and has no income from other sources, must either drain or it is only a 

 ■question of time when he will be financially ruined. No legitimate business 

 will stand an annual loss of from ten to twenty per cent., and at an increased 

 cost of production for the want of an outlay, which compared with the results, 

 is so insignificant. While manufacturers are figuring the cost of production 

 down to a small fraction of one per cent, farmers can not afford to follow a 

 system which entails a loss of from one-tenth to one-fourth of the gross 

 receipts. Some think they can not afford to drain. They look over their 

 farm and in estimating the cost are frightened at the amount it is going to 

 take to properly drain the farm ; but it is not necessary to make the out- 

 lay all in one year nor in two, though the faster it is done the better. 

 Begin with one field where it needs it most put in well, and in accoradnce 

 with a well-matured plan for all the drains which will be likely to be in 

 any way connected with it. Keep account of the cost; measure as accurately 

 as possible the amount of land reclaimed, and of the increased production of 

 the field ; the time saved in getting to work on the land ; the difference in the 

 expense of working the field as a whole compared with working it without the 

 drainage; the reduced expense of avoiding the necessity of working surface 

 drains and the reduced expense at which your crops can be harvested, and if 

 ,you will set this amount aside as a drainage fund you will find that it will be 

 large enough to more than do an equal amount the next year, and the same 

 process can be followed for each succeeding year until all is accomplished, and 

 until the most incredulous will become convinced of the wisdom and profit- 

 ableness of the investment. Another advantage not yet mentioned when taken 

 in connection with the drainage of marshes and places where water stands for 

 •a portion of the year, especially in the vicinity of the house, which is very 

 important, is the reduction of malarial diseases, and which, if the system 



