XL 



DRAINING GENERALLY. 



HAVING narrated my own experience in draining 

 with entire unreserve, I here submit the general 

 conclusions to which it has led me : 



I. While I doubt that there is any land above 

 water that would not be improved by a good system 

 of underdrains, I am sure that there is a great deal 

 that could not at present be drained to profit. 

 Forests, hill-side pastures, and most dry gravelly or 

 sandy tracts, I place in this category. Perhaps one- 

 third of New-England, half of the Middle States, 

 and three-fourths of the Mississippi Yalley, may ulti- 

 mately be drained with -profit. 



II. All swamp lands without exception, nearly all 

 clay soils, and a majority of the flat or gently roll- 

 ing lands of this country, must eventually be drained, 

 if they are to be tilled with the best results. I doubt 

 that there is a garden on earth that would not be 

 (unless it already had been) improved by thorough 

 underdraining. 



III. The uses of underdrains are many and di- 

 verse. To carry off surplus water, though the most 



(69) 



