BRITISB AGRICULTURE. 477 



the importance of draining such lands. There are lands in 

 western New York, either of a clay soil or having a more po- 

 rous soil resting on a clay subsoil, which arc worth little with- 

 out draining, but arc of great value when thorough-drained. 



There arc such in other parts of New York ; and there arc 

 here and there such lands in New England — lands which must 

 be drained in order to be of much use. But these are the ex- 

 ceptions, and not the general rule. In Great Britain the re- 

 verse is true. The general rule is, that lands are improved by 

 draining; and the exceptions arc of lands not benefited by it. 

 Some there have gone so far as to say that there are no excep- 

 tions — that all lands are improved by draining, even the dryest. 

 But never was a more nonsensical doctrine put forth. It is suffi- 

 ciently absurd when applied to that country, and is so regarded 

 by the best farmers there, but ten times more absurd in its ap- 

 plication to this country. I have often described our most 

 common qualities of New England soils and subsoils to Eng- 

 lish farmers, and asked what would be the effect of draining 

 such land ; and I have received for reply, that it would but lose 

 to the owner all the money expended in the operation. The 

 truth is, that land which, owing to a too retentive surface soil 

 or an impervious subsoil, does not pass the water readily 

 through it, is greatly benefited by draining ; but it is true, also, 

 that most of our New England farms are naturally drained in 

 the best possible manner. In other words, the Almighty has 

 done this work so well that the owners need expend nothing 

 with the hope of doing it better. To be, as some arc, always 

 prating about draining our ordinary uplands, is just about as 

 reasonable as the raving of a man in the delirium tremens about 

 pulling off the snakes, since it is as true that there is no excess 

 of water to be got rid of in one case as it is that there are no 

 snakes to be pulled off in the other. 



McCulloch sets down the fallows of Great Britain at two 

 million of acres. The Bummer fallowing of land is another prac- 

 tice which may be well enough for English fanners, but cannot, 

 except to a very limited extent, be well for American. In our 

 dry climate we can hardly conceive how difficult it is, how al- 

 most impossible, by any other means, to keep their Gelds from 

 grass and weeds. In addition to this, their soil, being cooler 



