32 QUAKTERLY JOURNAL. 



ease of tilling the soil afterwards, is a consideration of no small 

 importance in all cases, and especially in those heavy, cold lands 

 with a retentive or impervious subsoil, which are much benefited 

 by the operation. 



Another process, which has not found its way into this country 

 to any great extent, is thorough draining. The effects of this upon 

 English farming have been most wonderful, and we know of no- 

 thing which now is exciting greater attention in that country. 

 Since its introduction immense tracts of land which before were 

 worse than unproductive have been reclaimed and reduced to til- 

 lage, and are now among the most fertile. Although attended 

 with considerable expense, yet the money is not thrown away — 

 for land which rented for two to five shillings the acre before 

 draining, readily brings twenty, thirty, and even as high as forty 

 shillings, after this is done. We might quote abundant facts in 

 this connection were it necessary, or in the scope of this article. 

 A writer in the Gardener's Chronicle states that " Draining in the 

 best manner seldom costs more than £6 per acre, and can be often 

 done effectually for half that sum," and that cold, w^et lands which 

 Will not average s xteen bushels the acre, " wdien properly drained, 

 with the same labor and manure, will average thirty bushels." 

 Thorough draining is not so extensively necessary in this country 

 as in England, yet it would be difficult probably to find a farm 

 where it could not be employed to a greater or less extent with 

 great advantage. The partial system of draining which is gene- 

 rally practiced is productive of very little permanent good. 



The example of wealthy, independent farmers is necessary to 

 the introduction of these improvements, and when they are once 

 seen in their practical benefits, enough will be found to adopt 

 them. Before they are generally received, men must be convinced 

 that there is no risk nor danger of loss attending them. Once let 

 them see that by the application of improved methods of farming 

 they may in a very few years not only pay the interest, but actu- 

 ally receive both the whole cost in increased products, and they 

 will no longer hesitate. In England, where most of the land is 

 held under leases, the proprietor usually, either alone or in con- 

 nection with the tenant, makes the improvements. But in many 

 cases the tenant himself, where he holds on a long lease, makes 

 them himself, anticipating with all certainty a large remuneration 



