338 SKETCHES OF BUBAL AFFAIRS. 



taken, has been the improvement of the trees and wood- 

 lands on the property. Considerable difficulty was ex- 

 perienced in nursing up the trees in the first stages of 

 their growth ; and often individual trees grew up with 

 stunted stems, and covered with parasitical plants, which 

 always indicate unhealthy growth. Latterly, this evil 

 has been infinitely less felt, owing in a material degree, 

 certainly, to the superior management of the woods 

 themselves, but obviously also, in a certain degree, to 

 the great dryness of the ground. Since several of the 

 woods have been laid dry by under-drainage, the ground 

 in many of the hollows has sunk so much, that the roots 

 of the trees have been left standing up bare above the 

 surface, with the appearance of crows' feet ; and parts 

 which were boggy and marshy, and in which sportsmen 

 used to stick fast in hunting, are now perfectly solid, 

 with a good sward of grass, over which they may now 

 gallop with freedom." 



Mr. Stephens also sets forth the benefits of draining, 

 in terms which apply to thorough draining, namely, the 

 best kinds of surface-draining, equally with deep-draining. 



" On drained land," he says, " the straw of white 

 crops shoots up steadily from a vigorous braid, strong, 

 long, and at the same time so stiff, as not to be easily 

 lodged with wind or rain. The grain is plump, large, 

 bright-coloured, and thin-skinned. The crop ripens 

 uniformly, is bulky and prolific ; more quickly won for 

 stacking in harvest ; more easily thrashed, winnowed, 

 and cleaned, and produces fewer small and light grains. 

 The straw also makes better fodder for live stock. 

 Clover grows rank, long, and juicy, and the flowers 

 large and of bright colour. The hay weighs heavy for 

 its bulk. Pasture-grass stools out in every direction, 

 covering the ground with a thick sward, and produces 

 fat and milk of the finest quality. Turnips become 

 large, plump, as if fully grown, juicy, and with a 

 smooth and oily skin. Potatoes push out long and 

 strong stems, with enlarged tubers 3 having skins easily 



