118 ON DRAINING. 



these are ag-ain covered witli turf, straw, or otlier suitable 

 material. 



Kot a few of the farmers still adhere to the old practice, 

 when retiirning" the earth thrown out in excavating- the 

 drain, of placing- the loose surface-soil next the covered 

 stones, and keeping- the more tenacious suhsoil near the top. 

 This is done with the view of facilitating- the descent of rain- 

 water into the drains; but many intelligent drainers are now 

 opposed to the practice, and deny its ])ropriet3'', as they deem 

 it essential to the efficiency and durability of the drains to 

 guard against the direct entrance of water from the top. It 

 is considered preferable to force all the water to find its way 

 into the drains by percolation through the sidjsoil; for, if 

 permitted to enter through the loose earth above the stones, 

 it must necessarily carry along- with it a greater or less 

 quantity of the soil, which Avill be deposited in the drain. 

 The most approved practice, thei-efore, and that which is 

 becoming- g-eneral, is, after the stones or other materials used 

 ibr filling- have been properly covered with turf, to have a 

 portion of the most tenacious of the subsoil well trampled 

 with the feet, or beaten down with a wooden instrument 

 adapted for the purpose. This consolidated stratum is com- 

 monly 2 inches in thickness. The remainder of the earth is 

 then put in, sometimes with the ploug-h, but g-enerall}'^ by 

 the spade ; and a few turns of the harrows complete the 

 process. 



Tiirf-Drcdns. — In reclaiming- some bog-g-y lands in the 

 district of Buchan, several drains were formed with sods 

 cut from the surface, and which have continued in efficient 

 operation during- a period of thirty years. B}" this means, 

 and at a comparatively trifling- expense, several hundred 

 acres of peat-moss have been completely and efi-ectually 

 dried, and, by liming- and judicious tillag-e, have been broug-ht 

 into ])rofitable cultivation. Sod or turf drains are resorted 

 to with advantag-e in many quarters. 



Wood-Drains. — In some districts where stones are scarce 

 and wood cheap, the thinning-s of plantations — larch and 

 Scotch firs — are employed for filling- the drains; and the 

 manner in which this is effected is cleai-ly and carefidly 

 described by Mr. Sullivan. The wood used for this ])urpose 

 consists of the thinning-s of plantations, i. c. the small trees 

 commonly converted into pahng-. Larch is preferable, on 

 account of its g-reater durability ; but Scotch fir being- the 

 cheapest and most abundant kind in this quarter, is g-enerally 



