35 



The drains are generally two feet and a half deep, and 

 as narrow in the bottom as an ordinary spade can, conve- 

 niently work them. He always thought i- necessary to 

 go down until a solid tilly bottom was found, in order 

 that the water might always run immediately above the 

 till. The drain was filled to the depth of a foot, or 

 rather better, with small stones, the undermost being al- 

 ways carefully laid in by the hand, and the rest thrown 

 in promiscuously above them. The stones were then 

 covered with a little straw, and earth above all. The 

 expence, on an average, cannot be calculated at less than 

 from L. 8 to L. 10 an acre , but the outlay will be amply 

 repaid, for every object Mr Andrew had in view will be 

 accomplished. In its former state, the ground could on- 

 ly be ploughed at certain times. The farmer was at the 

 mercy of every season, and found none so dry, that in a 

 certain degree he did not suffer some injury ; but now, he 

 can plough almost at any time, the seed can be put in if 

 there is but a dry day, and in the ordinary course of 

 things, he can always rely upon a crop, and the soil being 

 equalized, the crop is always equal. Mr- Andrew ex- 

 presses his regret, at seeing the mischief that has been 

 done, almost in every corner of Scotland, by the at- 

 tempts which have been made to level high ridges bj 

 the plough ; and I certainly think, that before any pro- 

 prietor or tenant resolves to carry any plan of that sort 

 into effect, he ought to examine the result of the measures 

 which have been adopted on the farm of Tillylumb. 



4. Height. 



It is highly necessary that ridges, on wet land, should 

 be well rounded, so as to form the segment of a circle. 

 This is effected by gathering the soil once or twice, ac- 

 cording fo its dry ness or wetness, in the course of plough* 



E 



