8i AMERICAN AGRICULTURrST. 



Two recent improvements have been introduced, which 

 materially diminish the expense, while they enhance the 

 benefits of the system. 'They consist in sinking the drain 

 to four feet, and using burnt clay or tile pipes, one and a half 

 to three inches in diameter, and 12 to 18 inches in length, 

 connected together, by allowing the descending end to enter 

 the next below it, as a socket, or by placing the ends close to 

 each other. The slight opening at each joint, with small 

 holes perforating the top of the tiles, is found to be sufficient 

 to admit all the water which falls into the drain ; while the 

 increased depth at which the drainage takes place, draws 

 the water from a much greater distance. With the depth 

 indicated, it has been found, that the drains instead of being 

 required once in 16 feet, may be placed at intervals of 35 

 to 40, and accomplish the object with equal success, and in 

 less time. The expense of the former plan, was from $20 to 

 $30 per acre, while the last is only from $12 to $18. For 

 some of the stiffest clays and loosest gravels, these deep drains 

 are not so well suited ; as the water scarcely filters through 

 the stiff subsoil of the former, and drains too deeply from the 

 latter. 



The advantages of under draining are numerous and im- 

 portant. Tlley take away all the surplus water which exists 

 in heavy or tenacious soils, and which in wet seasons, is a seri- 

 ous impediment to the successful growth and perfection of 

 vegetation ; thus always insuring a full crop, when frequently, 

 not one-fourth of a crop is matured on similar undrained 

 soils. They are susceptible of earlier preparation for the re- 

 ception of crops in spring, by furnishing a dry, warm soil, 

 which would otherwise not admit of cultivation, except in 

 an advanced stage of the season; thus enabling the 

 farmer to raise a greater variety of products, where only a 

 few were adapted to the soil before ; and to these, it gives 

 several weeks additional growth, and an improved quality. 

 The soil is also more porous and friable, and therefore, much 

 more easily tilled. It saves all the trouble and waste of sur- 

 face drains and open furrows, which require that much of 

 the field be left almost in an unproductive state, to serve as 

 conductors of the surplus water. The rains falling on the 

 convex surfaces of the lands, run off rapidly into the fur- 

 rows, and not only withhold from the soil those benefits 

 which would result from their absorption, but they carry with 

 them much of the fine soil, which is thus allowed to waste. 



Rain water is charged with some of the most important 



