80 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



permanent as some other modes of draining which I shall pres 

 ently describe, is yet considered sufficiently enduring fully to 

 remunerate the expense. In this case, after the drain has been 

 fully opened, some wooden blocks, chained closely to each 

 other, of the shape and size of which it is desired that the drain 

 should be, are placed at the bottom of the drain. The clay 



is then filled in carefully over them, and hard rammed, and 

 then the turf and other dirt returned upon the top of that. 

 The plugs are then drawn forward by means of a stake in front 

 of them to which they are attached, and the filling in proceeds 

 until the whole is completed. This drain, if well made, will 

 last many years. I see no advantage in this matter of having 

 the plug in different blocks, unless in a case of the drain vary 

 ing from a straight line ; and it would seem as though a single 

 solid plug or stick of the proper size and form, which is some 

 times used, would serve the purpose in view still better. It is 

 always safe to infer, however, in respect to any practice which 

 has long prevailed, when other modes may have suggested 

 themselves as preferable, that it has some good reasons to 

 recommend it. The size of the plugs may vary according to 

 the size which it is desired the drain should be ; but I will give 

 the size which is sometimes recommended. The blocks, then 

 may be eight inches in height, six inches in length, four inche , 

 wide at the top and two inches wide at the bottom, and fastened 

 together by strong links of iron. To the forward block an 

 iron chain is attached, by which the whole is drawn forward 

 by means of the stake or lever in front. I found one of the 

 best farmers in England engaged in making drains, upon a 

 considerable field, of this description, deeming them economical 

 and effectual : and it is said that &quot;one fanner has, within four 



