97 



he has bridges with joints, which are pieces of wood made the size 

 of the lower drain, — about eight inches deep, three inches and a 

 half wide at top, tapering to about two inches at the bottom ; these 

 are drawn along in the ditch by a lever, and the soil, taken out 

 with the narrow spade, is then laid on the bridges, and rammed 

 down tight and close over the bridge, which is then drawn for- 

 ward and the same process repeated, leaving behind a hollow 

 space with a tough compact arch of clay." This is pipe draining, 

 it would seem, Avith unburned clay. 



A similar process has been practised in Essex since 1743. 

 Plug draining was not the only system practised. • Stones and 

 underwood Avere often used. But little Avas done, however, in 

 England in the draining of arable lands until Mr. Smith of Deans- 

 ton engaged in it. Thorough draining, it is claimed, dates from him, 

 it being maintained by some, that he is not only the introducer of 

 the system, but the inventor. Enough has been quoted from Capt. 

 Blythe to deprive Mr. Smith of this honor, though he may be just- 

 ly entitled to that of making it practicable, Avhich is honor enough 

 for one man. 



Smith's reasoning was, that not only hidden springs were to be 

 searched out, but he maintained that the whole surface of retentive 

 soils contains an excess of moisture, not caused by, or owing to 

 accidental or hidden springs alone, but by the rains Avhich fall 

 upon the surface ; and to get rid of this excess of Avater, under- 

 drains must be constructed so deep and so near each other, 

 throughout the field, as to remove this excess of Avater. Any 

 field, he said, however Avet, can be rendered dry and arable in 

 this Avay. 



From Smith's time to the present, great improvements have 

 been made in the art of draining. Drains are noAv cut much deep- 

 er, and burnt-clay pipes, first introduced by Josiah Parkes, 

 Esq.. are extensively, and, perhaps, it is safe to say, generally 

 used. In this Avay large quantities of barren land have been ren- 

 dered highly productive both in England and France, Avhere a 

 similar method of draining has been adopted. 



Deep draining and small pipes are the most approved system 

 noAv in England ; but, says one of their OAvn Avriters, it is no more 

 a modern invention than the plan of Dcanstonising, for I have 

 Avithin the last few years eraj)loyed a drainer of North Elvethan, 

 Hants, Avho assures me, that he Avas employed in laying deep tile 

 drains under a drainer named James Murrel, more than thirty 

 years ago, and that he executed a large amount of Avork for him 

 in various parts of North Hants. The Avriter adds, " I have had 

 opportunities of examining some portion of the works executed by 

 Murrel so long ago, and they appear to have been very carefully 

 done. At Hartford Bridge, Hants, the old road to Southamp- 



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