302 QUARTERLY JOURNAL. 



passing over much of the surface, would hardly suspect that an 

 inclined plane of that slope would require draining at all. There 

 are several points at which springs make their appearance. More, 

 it is plain, must be cut off, and conducted to the lower levels by a 

 drain ; but very large surfaces appear, which require the same ma- 

 nagement, although the land is neither springy or apparently wet. 

 Now Mr. Fuller says, that in making drains, he disagrees with our 

 friend of Singsing, who favored us with a description of his meihod 

 in our first number. Mr. Fuller dispenses entirely with flat stones, 

 and uses those round hard-heads, or any other kind which he finds 

 scattered about his field. The ditch itself is made in the usual way, 

 and of sufficient dimensions to answer the purpose intended. Then 

 two rows of round stones are laid, upor. which a row of larger round 

 ones completes the lop, and the sam6 kind are filled in to the desired 

 height. The flat stones are not decidedly objectionable, but there is 

 usually too much difficulty or expense in procuring them ; whereas 

 the rounded stones of the field answer the purpose, to say the least, 

 as well as any, and, besides, a good hand will lay them very fast, 

 and diminish very considerably the expense of ditching. 



I would recommend tiiose fanners who wish to construct cheap 

 drains, to consult Mr, Fuller, who probably has had more expe- 

 rience in these works than any man in the Stale. He is quite un- 

 willing to admit that his system of draining has cost him more than 

 ten cents per rod. I do not, however, now feel free to speak of all 

 Mr. Fuller's operations in farming, and in draining ; but I would 

 say, that if full barns are a good test of a man's success and skill 

 in this business (and I do not see why they are not), then we need 

 go no farther, for here the barns are full from top to bottom. I hope, 

 in conclusion, that Mr. F. will give a full account of his method 

 of draining, in the next number of the Journal. It is only by means 

 of collecting the methods adopted by different farmers, that the 

 practice of husbandry can be advanced in this country, and it is 

 American farming that we want to know most about. I think you 

 will agree with me in this sentiment ; and I think, too, you will be 

 willing that I dismiss for a time this subject. Yours, &c. 



