Vol. XIX, Second Sekies. ROCHESTER, N. Y., JANUARY, 1858. 



No. 1. 



XJNDESDSAINING. 



Ix the vast range of agricultural subjects open for 

 discussion, there is none so worthy to 03cu[)y the 

 first page of our new volume as that of U:< dee- 

 draining. 



In devising any method for tlie general improve- 

 ment of American Agriculture, tlie necessity of 

 thorough underdrainiiig meets us at the very outset. 

 We can advance scarcely a single step without it. 

 We can obtain only a very slight advantage from a 

 rational system of rotation, from an economical 

 method of making and preserving manure'-, or from 

 improved processes of tillage, so long as our farms 

 need underdraiuing. The best of care in fattening 

 cattle — providing warm and comfortable quarters, 

 feeding and watering regularly, and furnishing the 

 best foods in the proper proportions — will be but 

 poorly repaid unless we have first exercised judg- 

 ment in selecting such animals as have an aptitude 

 to lay on fat. So in adopting improved systems of 

 rotation, culture, and manuring — if we have not a 

 Boil free from all stagnant water to commence upon 

 we can not expect the best results. " All this is 

 true; but will it ptiy ?" asks an intelligent farmer at 

 our elbow. This depends on circumstances. If 

 good naturally underdraiued land can be obtained 

 in your neighborhood for from $15 to $20 per acre, 

 it would not pay in all probability to expend $.30 

 per acre in underdraiuing low, wet, or sprino-y land; 

 but in all districts where land is worth $50 per 

 acre, nothing can pay better than to expend from 

 $20 to $30 per acre in judicious underdraining. 

 The labor of cultivation is much reduced, while the 

 produce is generally increased one-half, and is not 

 unfrequently doubled ; and it must le remembered 

 that. the increase is net profit. If we get $15 worth 

 (Qf wheat, from one acre and $20 worth from the 

 <)':her, and the expense of cultivation is $10 in both 

 xjases, \\iQ profit from the one is twice as much as 

 •from the other. That judicious underdraming will 

 increase the crops one-third, can not be doubted by 

 lany one who has witnessed its eflfects. If it should 



double the crops, as it often does, the profit would 

 be four-fold. 



While it can not be said that underdraining will 

 destroy couch-grass, red-root, and other weeds, it at 

 least enables the farmer to eradicate them with much 

 greater ease. With our short seasons, it is no slight 

 advantage to be able to plow and sow a week or ten 

 days earlier in the spring, as well as late in the fiill ; 

 and this desideratum underdraining will accom- 

 plish. On grass-land, too, the herbage is not only 

 greatly improved in quality, but it ati:brds an earlier 

 bite. By increasing the temperature of the soil, un- 

 derdraining induces early maturity ; and it is found 

 that, for wlieat, it greatly mitigates the injurious 

 attacks of rust and midge, and, for corn, removes 

 nearly all danger from early autumn frosts. 



There are few farmers that can afford to under- 

 drain all their wet land at once, but there are none 

 who can not manage to underdrain at least one acre 

 each year. Let the work le done thoroughly as far 

 as it goes. The first thing to be provided, is a good 

 main ditch that will carry off" all the water. If possi- 

 ble, it should be five feet deep. The importance 

 of a good outlet can not be over estimated. Many 

 of the attempts at underdraining that have come un- 

 der our observation have faded from neglect of this 

 point. During the rainy seasons, the ditch can not 

 carry off" all the water, and the mouths of the drains 

 are submerged, and the whole network of drains is 

 consequently rendered totally inoperative. It is also 

 desirable to have the open ditch pass through the 

 lowest portions of the farm. When it can be cut ia 

 a straight line, without deviating too much from 

 the lowest places, it will be best to do so ; but we 

 have seen m,any instances where a maia ditch, ia 

 order to make it straight, has been cut through high, 

 land at a greatly increased cost, and the farmer has 

 afterwards found to his sorrow that it is next to 

 impossible to drain into it. 



The depth of the underdraining must be regula- 

 ted by circumstances. The range being from two 

 and a half to five feet. .Wliile tiles continue as high 



