Fabm Drainage. 361 



FARM DRAINAGE. 



BY A. O. CUMMINGS, OF MONTPELIER. 



In approaching the subject of " Farm Drainage," I feel a 

 great degree of timidity ; first, on account of its being a sub- 

 ject so little understood and practiced in this State ; second, 

 on account of its being a subject of such vast importance to 

 the farming interests of Vermont, and requiring so much 

 length to properly set forth its advantages and necessities ; 

 and thirdly, from the fact ot my inability to do the subject 

 justice. But if my disconnected ideas shall be fruitful in 

 leading any to investigate the subject, and profit by such 

 investigation, I shall feel fully repaid for my effort. 



As there is a strong aversion to tlieoretical (commonly 

 called book) farming, I shall confine myself, in the main, to 

 my own personal observation and experience, occasionally 

 quoting authorities to sustain the same. 

 . First, what land needs draining ? I answer by saying all 

 land in which a post Jiole dug three feet deep, immediately 

 after a heavy rain, or during the wet months of early spring 

 or late fall, will contain water. Writers on the subject tell 

 us that when a four foot hole contains water under the same 

 circumstances, it needs drains ; which, of course, would be a 



