28© Mithod of 'Draining prcLFnfed in EJfexyt^c, Aug. 



Some farmers fill up drains, where the foil is Icofe, with large 

 {lones, tliC upper fpade being only made ufe of. Others with 

 fmall flones, or witlWjfted gravel, which I think the bell plan 

 of all : while feme ufe liraw or underwood. A gentleman in 

 this neighbourhood prefers fcudding, or twilling draw into ropes, 

 as is done for flacks ; but in this cafe, it (hould be very evenly 

 done, that the earth may not run down the fide of the drain. It 

 is aftoniihing to fee the alteration made upon a field by this fimpk 

 mode of drainage. One that would prcvioufly hold water two or 

 three daj'S, gets dry in a few hours, whilil the under drains will 

 be running with the greatefl rapidity. Allow mc to conclude 

 with an extra£l from Vancouvre's agricultural furvey of EfTex, 

 which exaclly correfponds with my ideas upon this fubjecSl. 



Speaking of furface draining, he fays, * There is no improve- 

 ment to which the heavy land hufbandry of thio county owes fo 

 much, as to the fortunate introduclion and continuance of this 

 pra6lice. The means of melioration, and the confequent fources 

 of fertility, thence derived from the foil, over and above what it 

 formerly yielded, are not more important in the prefent day, than 

 permanent and precious, as they mull prove in their confequences 

 hereafter. The i^\x inftances of invincible bhndncfs to the bene- 

 ficial effc(£ls of this excellent pradlice, go no farther than to prove, 

 that when work is properly executed, it never ceafes to produce 

 the defired effecl. To complete an improvement of this nature, 

 much is neceliary to be attended to. If the field propofed to be 

 drained lies greatly upon the defcent, every care (houid be taken 

 to make the drains bear fulhciently horizontally ; in xhcjirji place, 

 to prevent a too precipitate fall of water, by which the drains 

 would be worn uneven, and a temporary obllru^lion occafion 

 them to blow; and, fecondly^ becaufc the more perfedlly horizon- 

 tal the field is, fo that it lies level free, and affords a fufficient 

 fall for the water, the lefs occafion will there be for the fame 

 number of drains, as would be required upon a foil of equal 

 clofenefs upon the fide of a hill. The drains in a field that lies 

 nearly level, draw equally well upon each fide -, whereas, thofe 

 on the hang of a hill draw only from the higher fides, and confe- 

 quently require them to be made much nearer and clofcr to each 

 other. * I am, yours, &c. 



EJfex, March 26. 1803. R. S. 



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