200 CULTIVATION. 



and only five per cent, interest is clinrgcd. By tlu 

 influence of this patronage, the actual wealth of the 

 kingdom has been rapidly increased, while the 

 farniei'S tlie^nselves can raise tlieir farms to tlie 

 highest fertility, without immediate investment foi 

 draining. 



The best j^roof that the government has not acted 

 injudiciously in this matter is, that private capitalists 

 employ their money in the same manner, and loans 

 on uuder-drains are considered a very safe invest- 

 ment. 



One very important, though not strictly agricul- 

 tural, effect of thorough di-ainage is its removal of 

 certain local diseases, peculiar to the vicinity of 

 marshy or low moist soils. The health-reports in 

 several places in England, show that where fever and 

 ague was once common, it has almost entirely dis- 

 appeared since the general use of under-drains in 

 those localities. 



CHAPTER IV. 



SDB-SOIL PLOWING 



Tr^ siib-soil ploio is an implement differing in figure 

 from the surface plow. It does not turn a furrow, 

 but merely runs through the sub-soil like a mole — 

 loosening and making it finer by lifting, but allow- 

 ing it to fall back and occupy its former place. It 



