of the drain just wide enough for a man's foot. The loose soil at the bottom is cleaned 

 out with a narrow scoop, the handle being sufficiently long and so shaped that a man 

 can clean the drains from the top. 



In laying the pipes, all that is necessary is to place them end to end as closely as 

 possible. If convenient, it is best to put a piece of tuif with the grass downwards over 

 the pipes ; though this may be dispensed with if the soil is moist and care is taken not 

 to disturb the pipes in covering them Avith it. After the drains have been laid and 

 covered a few days, the water comes through as dear as crystal, and there is little 

 danger of stoppage from any deposit of sediment, and few if any of the fertilizing 

 elements of the soil are washed out. 



There has been much discussion between theoretical and practical men, as to whether 

 the drains should be laid across the natural slope of the land or lengthwise of it, practi- 

 cal farmers for a long time adopting the former and the scientific farmers advocating the 

 latter. There are few at the present time but what think the scientific men are right, 

 and the drains are laid the same way as the land slopes and empty into a main drain, 

 laid with larger tiles, running across the fall. This main drain discharges the water 

 into an open ditch, which should always be kept clean, so that the water can run off" freely. 



The economy of under-draining at a cost of from $20 to $30 per acre, has been much 

 questioned in this country where lands are so abundant and cheap ; but all those who 

 have given it a fair trial, have no doubt of its great benefit and of its paying great 

 interest on the capital invested. They say the soil works much easier, is ready to plow 

 much earlier in the spring, and yields greatly increased crops with less manure and less 

 labor. We have no hesitation in asserting that there is but little land on which all 

 agricultural crops would not be increased half as much again by thorough under-draining. 

 It is a fact which, though it appears paradoxical, is nevertheless clearly established by 

 experience, that land well under-drained is much dryer in wet weather, and . much more 

 moist in dry hot weather, than that undrained. We believe that the general adoption 

 of thorough draining will do much to remove the innumerable insects, blights, and rusts, 

 which now make such fearful devastation on our crops. An old English farmer informs 

 us that he can remember when under-draining was scarcely known in England the crops 

 were more liable to be injured by insects, &c., than they are here at present ; but now 

 they are unknown there, and the crops have doubled, which he thinks is owing n\ore to 

 under-draining than any other cause. 



MILCH COWS, AND CALVES. 



It is impossible to choose a subject of more general interest to the agricultural commu- 

 nity, than Milch Cows ; for though there is only a portion of American farmers that 

 devote their farms principally to the dairy business, yet every homestead has its cows, 

 and every farmer is interested in their management. 



The best time for cows to " come in" is generally considered, to be about the middle 

 of April ; though where calves are raised for the butcher, it will be profitable to have 

 them earlier ; as, being scarce, they sell much better. The period of calving is one of 

 considerable danger, and much care is necessary to keep the cow in a healthy state, and 

 in that condition which will make her most profitable the coming season. Cows of 

 course should never be starved during the winter, but kept in a nice warm yard, having 

 plenty of straw, cornstalks, or hay, regularly given them. If they are not milked, they 

 may be kept in good condition on straw and cornstalks till within six weeks of calving, 

 when they should have a little hay ; and as the spring draAvs near, if not in good con- 

 dition, a little com meal, or what is much better, three or four pounds of crushed oil- 

 cake a day, may be given for a week or so previous to calving. It is not, however, 



