1886.] PLANTATION PURPOSEiS. 557 



feet. These, being fixed points, may, or must, to a certain extent, 

 influence the direction of the drains composing each system ; at the 

 same time the rules laid down must be as little as possible deviated 

 from. 



One more exami)le calls for attention. On boggy or marshy 

 ground a deep depression, with rising ground on all sides, will often 

 be noticed, which, from the impervious nature of the subsoil, retains 

 the surface water that flows into it. Possibly it may prove of 

 service as a receptacle into which to turn the surplus drawn by 

 means of drains from higher or the surrounding slopes, and, if it 

 assume the dimensions of a pond or small lake, may be left 

 with advantage — a thing of beauty, and probably a delight to the 

 sportsman's heart. 



Should it, however, be thought desirable to draw off such a 

 collection of water, the chances of success depend in a great measure 

 on the existence of a stratum of gravel or sand not unfrequently to 

 lie found underlying the clay bed which is, almost without exception, 

 the support of a moist and boggy surface. 



Having discovered by boring with a fine augur the existence of 

 such a stratum, the most economical plan is to bore holes in the 

 first instance through the clay, with an augur 6 in. in diameter ; and, 

 should the water subside, to finish the work by sinking wells through 

 the clay and filling them with small stones. 



The surplus water that is drawn by means of drains from moist 

 ground intended for plantation purposes need not necessarily run to 

 waste. It may be utilized in forming the boundaries of the planta- 

 tion ; may be stored to supply motive power for a sawmill, or made 

 use of for irrigation work, etc. At the same time it must be 

 remembered that in many cases, after a certain period, drains will 

 have done their work, the moisture which freely entered them 

 formerly being drawn away and absorbed by the ever-spreading roots. 

 In conclusion, I give a well-authenticated example of the power of the 

 roots of established trees to dispose of superfluous moisture in the 

 soil : — " It may be observed as an instance of this natural drainage, 

 that an artificial pond, made . . . about twelve years ago, which was 

 at first fed to overflowing by drainage water, was ultimately dried up 

 as the growth of an adjoining plantation of mixed conifene continued, 

 owing to the greater root-absorption of the Nvater which formerly fed 

 it. Many other instances of marshy ground that has been rendered 

 (piite dry by plantation of Scots pine are on record. 



l\. E. HODSON. 



