27B ^« Draining- Aug^^ 



ter to compound the matter than lofe the whole. A pond might 

 be dug in the middle, 3 or 4 feet deep, and in fize about a fifth 

 or fixth part of the area of the bafon, which would contain all 

 the fupcrfluous water ; the reft would be dry, and fit for cul- 

 ture. 



There are likewife a great many lands in this country that 

 have a confiderable defcent, and yet, on account of fprings, 

 and the retentive quality of the foil, or other caufes, are con- 

 tinually very wet. Such are a great many moor lands, particu- 

 larly thofe of Clydefdale and AyrOiire. This continual wetnefs 

 keeps the land perpetually wild and unprodu6live. I know 

 no better remedy in fuch cafes than rumbling fivers. In fome 

 parts of the country, however, ftones neceffary for forming 

 them, are either not to be had at all, or not in fufficient quan- 

 tity. If the farm does not furnifh fmall ftones, probably large 

 ones can be had, which may be broke •, and in this cafe the moil 

 compendious method muft be ufed. Probably 

 three diagonal fivers in a field that has confi- 

 derable declivity, and a plain furface, as in 

 the annexed figure, whereof A is the moft 

 elevated fide, will have as much effect as treble 

 the number drawn right up and down ; and as 

 fuch lands either are, or always ought to be, en- 

 clofed with hedge and ditch, the lower ends 

 of the fivers will enter the ditches. But if 

 ftones cannot at all be had, the land ought not to be loft ; the 

 beft fubftitute that can be had muft be ufed. Probably brufii- 

 wood can be got, or if that cannot, ftrong heather pulled up 

 by the roots may. The firft layer fhould be of the ftrongeft 

 heather, placed Icngthwife in the bottom of the fiver ; the fe- 

 cond layer of finer heather laid acrofs it, the better to fupport 

 the earth ; above that, fods, with the green fide undermoft, 

 jammed between fide and fide archwife. This m.ay have fo 

 good an effect in moft cafes, and for fuch a length of time, 

 as (hall amply reimburfe the expence, and, in many, prove an 

 tlfe6tual remedy, by keeping the land dry, until by culture its 

 nature is totally changed. 



Having laid before you this project, I confefs that I am not 

 over-fanguine in regard to its adoption. The trouble and ex- 

 pence will no doubt be confiderable, and the work could only 

 be pra<i"ticable, in wet boggy lands, during a dry fummer fea- 

 fon ; but then this is the fiackeft feafon of the year with the 

 farmer. At the fame time, the profpe£t of fuccefs is, I think, 

 confiderable, from the two principal objects the project holds 

 put^ viz. raifing the land backwards from the drain, by fpread- 



jng 



