424 Successful Result 
degree as is known to render the metal brittle; they are ther 
raised a considerable height from the ground, and, being suffered 
to fall, the whole divides into fragments, which assume a very 
peculiar appearance. 
The smelting by a strong blast is injurious to metals that are 
volatilizable by heat, as they have in this mode no protection 
from the slag, which in reverberating furnaces floats on their 
surface, and protects them from oxidation and evaporation, The 
old practice of melting lead in what are called ore earths, is, on 
this account, giving way, and reverberating furnaces are coming 
into general use, by which the produce of metal from the ore is 
considerably increased. Tin, though volatile to a certain de- 
gree, is not affected by the process in any important manner; but, 
as some flies off in white fumes, it is usual to construct a long 
horizontal flue, which is made to communicate with and pass 
through a kind of chamber, in which a considerable part of these 
fumes is condensed and collected. 
LXXXVI. Successful Result of an Experiment on Draining 
of Land. By Joun Curistian Curwen, Esq. M.P.* 
London, Jan. 28, 1821. 
DEar Sir, _ Trevosen I have the honour to transmit for the 
Society a paper on Draining; if it should be considered as 
worthy of the attention of the Society, I shall be greatly flattered. 
I have left the country in great distress, and numbers of poor 
people out ofemployment. 1 hope to have the honour of paying 
my respects to you soon. I disposed of the rice you sent me 
into various hands. I have planted the wheat in. my own gar- 
den. Ian, sir, &c. &c. 
4A. Aikin, Esq. J.C. CuRwEn. 
Secretary, &c. Se. 
Workington Hall, Jan. 17, 1821. 
The encouragement given by the Society of Arts, for the im- 
provement of agriculture, and every useful undertaking, em- 
boldens me to submit to them the details of a work recently exe- 
cuted. 
In the present state of the country, more important: service 
cannot be rendered it, than suggestions for the profitable appli- 
cation of capital to labour. 
Draining has universally been allowed to be the first and most 
essential step towards the permanent improvement of land. 
Fully as all writers are agreed upon this point, the cost that may 
* From the Transactions of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, 
Manufactures, and Commerce, for 1821. ‘The Thanks of the Society were 
voted to Mr. Curwen for this communication. 
profitably 
