l8o5. On the New Mode of Drainage. 16"] 



cliief, and perhaps the real utility of tliis improved method 

 of draining, had been previoufly afcertained by a worthy 

 farmer in the county of Eaft-Lothian, to whofe grand* 

 father Scotland is indebted for the introduction of fum- 

 mer-fallow. The reafon which influenced him to try 

 the effect of pitting, was, that in attempting to drain a 

 field by the ordinary method then pradbifed, he had miff- 

 ed the Jpot/t or buril which occafioned the wetnefs, and, 

 in order to catch it, was induced to dig down in a cir- 

 cular form, till a bottom of fand appeared, when the 

 water fprung up with inexpreffible force. It then oc- 

 curred, that by filling up this pit or well with land 

 ftones, and making a communication with the leading or 

 main drain, that the objett intended would be effeftual- 

 ly accompliflied. This was done accordingly, and the 

 fpot orf ground which required draining, was immedi- 

 ately laid as dry as the other parts of the field. The 

 fame perfon afterwards repeated the trial upon feveral 

 other fields, and was equally fuccefsful as in the initance 

 above mentioned. 



A certain gentleman, now deceafed, who was charac- 

 terifed by Mr Wight, in his State of Scotifh Hufband- 

 ry, publiflied in 1778, as a *' farmer of the fird rank," 

 witneffed the trial, and was perfectly fatisfied refpecting 

 its utility. I may only add, that the experiment was 

 made in 1750, at v/hich period it is probable Mr Elking- 

 ton was not in life, and long before the time when Dr 

 Anderfon communicated his fentiments to the public, 

 relative to the new mode of drainage. 



If this information appears of any importance, I hope 

 it will procure a place in your next Number. 



I am, &c. 



J Friend to Me.rit, 



TO 



