200 CULTIVATION. 



and only five per cent, interest is charged. By the 

 influence of this patronage, the actual wealth of the 

 kingdom has been rapidly increased, while the 

 tanners themselves can raise their farms to the 

 highest fertility, without immediate investment for 

 draining. 



The best proof that the government has not acted 

 injudiciously in this matter is, that private capitalists 

 employ their money in the same manner, and loans 

 on under-drains are considered a very safe invest- 

 ment. 



One very important, though not strictly agricul- 

 tural, effect of thorough drainage is its removal of 

 certain local diseases, peculiar to the vicinity of 

 marshy or low moist soils. The health-reports in 

 several places in England, show that where /'<r</' <(n<l 

 ague was once common, it has almost entirely dis- 

 appeared since the general use of under-drains in 

 those localities. 



CHAPTER IV. 



SUB-SOIL PLOWING. 



THE sub-soil plow is an implement differing in figure 

 from the surface plow. It does not turn a furrow, 

 but merely runs through the sub-soil like a mole 

 loosening and making it finer by lifting, but allow- 

 ing it to fall back and occupy its former place. It 



