FARMERS^ MISCELLANY. 



DRAINING. 



BT JESSE RIDER, SING-SING. 



I THINK that the nearer we can bring theory and practice into 

 juxtaposition, so as to compare the deductions of reason with the 

 truths of experience, the more likely we shall be to come to cor- 

 rect conclusions in regard to both. I look upon a theory as worth 

 but little unless it is to aid in some practical operation ; and that 

 practice which is not enlightened by some general principles, which 

 which when arranged are the theory of the operation, must be 

 very poor indeed. Therefore it is that the theories of the learned, 

 and the practices of the unlearned, should go together in the same 

 work. It will tend to reduce theory to practice, and practice to 

 theory, and thus aid us in coming at the truth. 



In accordance with the foregoing, I have determined to furnish 

 a little of the practical to mix up with your theoretical cogita- 

 tions, hoping that nobody will be the worse off for what I write, 

 in case any body should happen to read it. But before I proceed 

 to farming operations, I think it is best to put the farm in a state 

 fit for cultivation, by as thoroughly draining the parts requiring 

 it, as is possible, and in the most judicious manner. And first, 



OF THE LAND THAT SHOULD BE DRAINED. 



In my view, any upland that is too wet to admit red clover to 

 grow freely with other grasses, ought to he drained^ and lowland 

 should be brought to bear timothy and red-top as the dominant 

 grasses, by the same process. 



In this section of country, I think that the upland generally 

 claims attention ; first, the smooth and handsome slopes and 

 ridges. When in grain, the parts requiring it are pretty clearly 



