AGRICULTURE WITH CHEMISI RY.. 193 



On this subje6l it is proper to remark, that exchisivcly 

 of the main central drain, or drains, carried at the low/^st 

 level, and according to the natural and old established 

 course of the waters, sufilcient drains or water courses 

 should be made to skirt or surround the whole of the 

 fens cut on the dry or solid land above their level. It is 

 obvious, that by thus guarding the fens from their great 

 and principal feeders which come from the upland coun- 

 trv, there would then require to be drained, or to* be 

 raised from the fens, only that proportion of water which 

 may fall on their superfices. The Agricultural Surveyor 

 of Cambridgeshire seems to be of opinion, that the gene- 

 ral bed of the fens is sufficiently elevated above the level 

 of the sea to drain itself. This fact is of too importan ta 

 nature not to be fully and minutely inquired into^ as in 

 the event of its being established, not only the fens lately 

 under cultivation, ami novv' drowned, might in future be 

 more securely and effe(5lually drained, but an addition of 

 150,000 acres of undrained and unrccfaimed fen land, 

 in the Countv of Cambridcc aknc^ would accrue to the 

 agriculture, or the cultivation of this country. Should 

 the fens not be capable of being drained completely 

 by any sea level, and that the water should require 



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