FARMER'S ASSISTANT. S5 



cultivated in a more northerly climate, and, of course, 

 ripens so soon as fro escape the early frosts which prevail in 

 bog-meadows. Hops are cultivated to great advantage in 

 these lands. 



The method of draining these lands effectually is, first 

 to run a ditch through the middle, and draw off as much ot" 

 its waters in this way as possible. Where the meadow is 

 very wet and miry, you commence at the lowest part of the 

 ground, where you design its outlet to begin ; and thence 

 carry the ditch into the meadow, sinking it all the way as 

 you proceed, as low as will barely give the waters a cur- 

 rent to run off; and the deeper this ditch can be sunk th-e 

 better. Then run a ditch proportionately deep all round 

 the edge of the bog, tor the purpose of cuting off all the 

 springs. Then cross-ditches are to be made, in number 

 and size proportionate to the extent of the bog, and of the 

 size of the middle and surrounding ditches. Generally 

 speaking, the deeper arxd larger your ditches, the fewer 

 cross-ditches you need have. 



It should be remembered, that boglands will settle down 

 very much, after draining; for which due allowance ought 

 to be made, in regard to the depth of the ditches. Some- 

 times it may be found, that there will, alter draining, be tdo 

 thin a layer of bogdirt above the clay on which it is bot- 

 tomed, to be of much value ; and, foreseeing this, it ought 

 in some cases to deter the Proprietor from going to the 

 expense of draining the swamp, particularly if it be covered 

 with a thrifty growth of timber. 



Sec further, DITCHES. 



BORECOLE OR COLESEED (Brassica rafia ) We 

 give the directions, for the culture of this plant, from the 

 Gardener's Dictionary. 



< This plant, which is generally known by the name of 

 Rape or Coleseed, is much cultivated in the Isle of Ely, 

 and some other parts of England, for its seed; from which 

 the rapeoil is drawn: And it has also been cultivated, of 

 late years, in other places, for feeding of cattle, to great 

 advantage. 



4 The coleseed, when cultivated for feeding of cattle, 

 should be sown about the middle of June. The ground 

 should be prepared for it in the same manner as for turnips. 

 The quantity of seed for an acre of land is from six to 

 eight pounds; and, as the price of seed is not great, it is 

 better to allow eight pounds; for, if the plants are too close 

 in any part they may be thined, when the ground is hoed ; 

 which must be performed in tfce,same manner as is prac- 

 tised for turnips, with this difference only, of leaving those 

 much nearer together; for, as they have fibrous roots ? 



