1S8 Under-Draining — Its Beneficial Effects. [March, 



tlieir roots througli it in search of the necessary food. And, without the 

 third, much of the cost and labor of the other two will be thrown away. 



These propositions I consider to be susceptible of the very clearest 

 demonstration, if not entitled to be classed as axioms. But it is with 

 the third that I have more particularly to deal on the present occasion, 

 viz: Drainage. And in a spirit of strict adherence to the subject before 

 us to-day, for discussion, it is my intention to confine my remarks to that 

 branch of the general subject designated by the term under-draining. 



Standing water, upon or near the surface of the soil, is universally 

 admitted to be so detrimental, (not to say fatal), to general and profitable 

 cultivation, as to render it indispensably necessary that some means be 

 adopted to get rid of it ; even the cultivation of the southern rice plant, 

 which so much delights in water at suitable intervals, not furnishing an 

 exception. Hence, it is readily admitted by all, that swamps and other 

 lands, of such a conformation as to hold water until it is evaporated by 

 the heat of the sun, are benefitted, and indeed reclaimed, by thorough 



draining. 



But it is not so readily admitted, that other lands than those just 

 mentioned, need draining. Indeed, by the many the idea is utterly 

 rejected. There seems to them to be something utterly inconsistent, if 

 not ridiculous, in the idea of draining rolling or hilly lands, when the 

 water, at any rate, soon leaves them, and seeks its level in the swamps, 

 creeks and rivers. 



This proposition, however, I shall endeavor to substantiate, viz : That 

 all lands are benefitted by artificial under-draining, except such as have 

 a sub-soil of sand, gravel, alluvial deposit, or otherwise of a porous 

 nature. And, in doing so, I shall confine myself to stating briefly some 

 of the efi*ects, which this process is the means of producing upon the 

 soil, and through that upon vegetation. 



Under-draining is preferable to surface, or open draining, from the 

 fact that the drains in the former method are laid so far below the sur- 

 face of the soil, as not to interfere with the passage of the plow in the 

 deepest cultivation, thus saving all the space necessarily taken up by 

 drains according to the latter plan. For this reason, among others, 

 nnder-drains ought always to be used, except when the volume of water 

 is too great to be removed by them. 



This process removes speedily, all surplus water, whether above or 

 below the surface of the ground, above the level of the drain. And who 

 that has noticed the stunted vegetation, sickening and dying on the wet 

 spots in his own or his neighbors' fields, will deny that such localities 

 would be benefitted by under-draining? If, then, it is admitted to be 



