] 82 On Draining. 



the country is improved, its climate ameliorated, and its value 

 materially augmented. 



r, TTY ^ . . 



SECT. III. On Draining. 



RELIEVING land from superfluous moisture, is one of the 

 most important branches of husbandry. Unless that be ac- 

 complished, every other improvement of which the soil is 

 susceptible, must often be unsuccessfully attempted. For- 

 tunately, no department in agriculture has been of late more 

 anxiously studied, nor with greater practical success. The 

 basis was laid by the discoveries of a farmer in Warwickshire, 

 (Joseph Elkington), who was led to it by an accident ( M >J). 

 It is a happy event for society, when such accidents occur 

 to those, who have sagacity sufficient to avail themselves of 

 hints thus fortuitously suggested. 



In discussing this subject, the following particulars shall 

 be considered : 1. The advantages of draining; 2. The causes 

 of wetness ; 3. The sorts of drains commonly used ; 4. The 

 instruments employed ; and, 5. The modes of draining the 

 different soils, and the objects to which that improvement is 

 applicable. 



1 . Advantages of Draining. 



The benefit of draining is experienced, 1. In arable land ; 

 2. In grass land ; 3. In woods and plantations ; 4. In the 

 improvement of wastes ; 5. In the climate ; and, 6. In various 

 miscellaneous particulars. 



1. Arable Land. While land remains in a wet state, 

 manure laid upon it, whether putrescent or calcareous (' 

 is, comparatively speaking, of little use ; the seed sown 

 often perishes (' 'f ) ; the crops are sickly, and later of ripen- 

 ing ; and the operations of harvest are attended with per- 

 haps injury to the soil, uncertainty, and danger. On the 

 other hand, when it is thoroughly drained, land can be 

 ploughed at any season with advantage, it is easily ma- 

 naged, and can be kept clean at a moderate expense, every 

 exertion w of good husbandry is attended with success, the 

 ground suffers less from the inclemency of the seasons, the 

 produce is generally ample, the quality of the grain is ex- 

 cellent, and the farmer will thrive, where his predecessor, 

 cultivating a wet and undrained soil, was impoverished, or 

 perhaps totally ruined. 



