OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. 173 



CHAPTER XII. 



IMPROVEMENTS. 



SECTION i. 







Draining. 



NOTWITHSTANDING the general appearance of the 

 foil, and the fhape of the grounds in this county, which 

 might feem to preclude the neceflity of draining, a great 

 deal has been done in that way, and much is ftill re- 

 quired. The hills abound with fprings; fome fhew; 

 themfelves on the tops, fome on the declivities, but 

 moft towards the bottoms, and in the ftrongeft and 

 beft part of the foil. Under-ground draining is very 

 well underftood, and, where rocks do not interfere, it 

 is not Difficult to execute, from the abundance of ftone 

 in moft places to be found on the furface. The drains 

 are funk until the fpring is come at, then they arc 

 filled with ftones, as near the furface as can be done 

 without fearing interruption from the plough or ipade; 

 fome perfons throw the ftones promifcuoufly in, but 



the 



