78 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



sand. "We desired to enlarge our pasture, and this wet piece 

 being on one side of what was already grazing land, we deter- 

 mined to bring that in also. Commenced ditching at the cause- 

 way which crossed the lower end, digging along the east and 

 west margins, about two-and-a-half feet deep, and up far enough 

 to enclose about two acres, when we worked across, meeting in 

 the middle. It was during a very dry time, and water troubled 

 but little. Soon, however, it rained, filled the ditches with 

 water, which, acting upon the sand, soon widened the same, — 

 the sand finding its level, — filling the ditches to such an extent 

 that we were obliged, after lowering the culvert at the causeway 

 by which the water was drawn down two feet below the surface, 

 to throw out the loose materials which had caved in, and stone 

 up, leaving a passage for water the entire distance. Having 

 the stones at hand, and wishing to get rid of them, we found 

 an excellent place therefor. 



As soon as it became sufficiently dry, fire was set to the 

 rubbish, (the bushes having been previously cut,) and burned 

 over nearly all the lot, but not deeply. The earth from the 

 ditches was next distributed in the hollows, and the land left to 

 itself. The second year thereafter the same was covered with 

 grass, well sweetened with white clover. Subsequently, we 

 have advanced the drains towards the fountain-head, stoning 

 up as we proceed. As we progress, better quality of grass 

 keeps apace also. Cattle graze upon that land daily all the 

 season, cutting very close to the ground when there is a good 

 run of feed on the upland. The presumption is, therefore, that 

 sweet feed is produced. One advantage to be derived from 

 having grazing land of the kind named is, water running in 

 the bottom of ditches keeps the ground sufficiently moist by 

 capillary attraction to sustain the crop in, a perfectly fresh and 

 gi'een state, while the drought is so severe as to parch the drier 

 lands and ruin the crop. Thus much in relation to stone drains 

 upon side hills, on hard bottoms, and where, at short intervals 

 of time, water runs in quantity, and with sufficient force to 

 keep the culverts clear. 



We desire now to call attention to a material extensively 

 used in draining, and, according to facts gathered from intel- 

 ligent gentlemen who have had sufficient experience in the 

 business to enable them to judge with accuracy, a more safe, 



