46 CIIKOJS'ICLKS OF A CLAY FARM. 



the substance of the "Report of a Committee," the 

 last tautology of admitted facts that men endure, and 

 having consigned to the charnel-house of the Blue 

 Books, inscribe its epitaph in an Act of Parliament.* 



* An important subject for the farmer to understand is 

 the operation of water beneath tho surface. Clay soils, the 

 most of all others benefited by draining, (next to springy 

 lands, or those covered by the overflowing water from a more 

 elevated adjacent surface,) when cultivated, are usually 

 thrown into ridges by the plow, with corresponding ditches 

 between, to carry off the surface-water; and owing to the 

 imperfect preparation thus made, the crops are unequal in 

 growth and product. This defect in cultivation, underdrain- 

 ing rectifies. Another advantage is, that the water, perco- 

 lating into the soil below, and finding its level, and a passage 

 out through the tile, or drain of other description, the surface 

 is left friable, and may be plowed entirely level. A higher 

 temperature is also given to the soil, permitting it to be 

 worked earlier in the season, together with a better cultivation 

 to the crop. ED. 



