112 EUROPEAN AG Pvl CULTURE. 



admirably improved estate I have had the pleasure of repeatedly 

 visiting, had, some years since, completed the drainage of more 

 than 467 acres, at an expense of 1508 17s. 4d. ; and had 

 increased the rental of his land, by these operations, to the 

 amount of 435 2s. 4d. per year, or at the rate of 29 per cent, 

 upon the capital expended. The main drains here were laid 

 about three feet deep, with tiles about five inches wide by 

 twelve inches long. The branch drains are about two feet six 

 inches deep, and are laid with tiles about four inches wide by 

 twelve inches long. In some of the valleys, the substratum is 

 of a loose mixture of sand and gravel ; and in those places it 

 was found necessary to adopt drains varying from five to eight 

 feet deep, which pour forth large bodies of water, both in 

 summer and winter. 



It may be said, such is the rapidity with which agricultural 

 improvement is advancing in this country, that a great revolu 

 tion has been effected in the system of draining since these 

 splendid improvements were accomplished; and that draining 

 fully as efficient as the above is now reduced to one half of the 

 expense. 



The country abounds with examples of agricultural improve 

 ment on the part of individual proprietors, if not upon so exten 

 sive a scale, yet, in proportion to the ability and means, quite as 

 enterprising and spirited. It is truly delightful to witness such 

 an application of wealth ; and the benevolent mind is never 

 more disposed to envy the possession of power than when it is 

 thus beneficently exerted. The erection of magnificent houses 

 or palaces in a city, far beyond one s needs, I am not disposed to 

 deny, does good, as it creates a demand for ingenious, industrious, 

 and, to a degree, useful labor, and circulates a large amount of 



estate, arises from the carriage of tiles and soles being included in the former, 

 which in the latter is done by the tenants without charge. 



&quot;The saving in Park draining, in 1842 and 1843, was in labor chiefly, that 

 being lower in 1842 and 1843 than in 1841 and 1842. 



&quot; The additional saving in 1843 and 1844 was, by putting the drains one yard 

 farther apart, viz., GA yards, instead of 5, as in former years. The depth of the 

 drains was increased, and the labor also, but the value of the tiles saved in quan 

 tity was considerably more than the increase of labor. 



&quot; The difference in cost of draining, between one part of the estate and another, 

 is occasioned by the various sizes of the lands, as, in high-ridged and crooked 

 lands, the drains follow the water furrows, at whatever distance they may be.&quot; 



