THE DRAINAGE OF FARMS. 81 



years, made 300 miles of this kind of drain,&quot; 

 and is satisfied with its operation. A section 

 of the drain is represented in the engraving. 



6. DRAINING WITH TURF COVERING. An 

 other mode of draining, somewhat similar, is, 

 after having made the drain tunnel-shaped, 

 as above described, leaving two shoulders at 

 the height from the bottom it is desirable the 

 drain should be made, then to take the sod 

 which was taken from the top, and, inverting it, place it upon 

 these shoulders in the drain, and then fill up with the dirt 

 which has been taken out. Both these methods of draining, 

 however, though comparatively cheap, can scarcely be consid 

 ered as permanent. They are liable to be much worn by any 

 considerable amount of water flowing in them, and may easily 

 be pressed down by the passage of a loaded wagon over them. 



A farmer in Cambridgeshire, on a soil of tenacious loam, 

 shallow, and upon a subsoil of cold clay, makes his drains five 

 yards and a half apart, and. having first opened them with a 

 double mould-board plough, making a deep furrow, a spade 

 follows, and, after taking out to the depth of the spade, the drain 

 is dug with a suitable instrument twelve inches farther ; the 

 width of this aperture is about three inches at the top, and grad 

 ually reduced to one inch at the bottom. The drain is then 

 perfectly cleared by a hoe or a scoop. Peat-turf, procured from 

 the fens, and cut into lengths of from twelve to sixteen inches, 

 and about three inches in thickness, is then pressed into the 

 lower part of the drain its whole thickness, leaving a passage for 

 the water, underneath, of about nine inches in depth. The peat 

 expands by moisture, and becomes very firm. It is said these 

 turf drains have been found in a sound state after having been 

 laid for sixteen years ; but it is recommended to renew them 

 every eight years. This is certainly a very simple and eco 

 nomical mode of draining. The durability of the drainage 

 depends upon the soundness of the clay ; the depth in the earth 

 at which the turf is buried ; and the quality of thje turf, its 

 strength, and firmness.* 



* Journal of Royal Agricultural Society, vol. ii. part 11, p. 262. 



