[ 123] 



On the improvement of a Tide T/unk, By James 

 Garnet, 



Philadelphia, Nov. ^th, 1820. 

 Gentlemen, 



Having lono; witnessed the zeal and ability, witlv 

 which your Society devote themselves to every thing 

 connected with the rural economy of our country, I have 

 taken the liberty to present you with the model of a tide 

 trunk,* which has been for some time tried in Virginia 

 with complete success. It is used for reclaiming land 

 liable to be overflowed, and upon which water from the 

 land-side is apt to accumulate. If it is not already in your 

 possession, this trunk, I think, will be found highly bene- 

 ficial ; as nothing of the kind yet known to us, can sur- 

 pass it, either for the simplicity, or economy of its con- 

 struction. 



With great respect and esteem, I am 



James M. Garnett. 



To the Philad, Society 



for promoting Agriculture* 



ExPLANATIOiV. 



The black marks indicate the position of small strips of 

 wood which are nailed on the two side planks, to prevent 

 the floating valve or stopper, from either passing out with the 

 receding lide ; or from lying flat on the bottom, when all the 

 water has run out. The top of the valve, which should be made 

 of some light wood, must be covered with soal-leather. This 

 soon becomes wet ; and from its elasticity, stops the hole, when 

 the trunk is full of water, as tight as a well-corked bottle. 



[* See plate I. fig. 2.] 



