1840.] SENATE— No. 36. 205 



ON DRAINING AND SUBSOIL PLOUGHING. 



The statements, which I give below, are from an examination had 

 before a large committee of the British Parliament, relating to draining 

 and subsoil ploughing. I at first intended to give only a short abridg- 

 ment of them ; but they are of such remarkable importance, that I have 

 chosen to give them at large. I know they will be read with the 

 greatest interest. 



As my report is going through the press, it gives me pleasure to 

 say, that Messrs. Ellis &< Bosson, in North Market Street, Boston, 

 with a commendable and patriotic enterprise, have imported one 

 of Smith's subsoil ploughs, of which I gave an account and an en- 

 graving in my First Report of the Agriculture of Massachusetts. Its 

 construction is altogether peculiar ; but with sufficient power, there is 

 no doubt it will prove effectual. It is an expensive article to be im- 

 ported ; but it is probable, especially as they are not patented, that 

 they will be manufactured here at a reasonable rate. If the system is 

 faithfully carried out, there cannot be a doubt, of its extraordinary and 

 most beneficial effects. It is only due to these gentlemen, to add, like- 

 wise, that they have imported a great variety of wheats, other grains, 

 and grass seeds, with samples, also, in the straw, of the finest kinds, 

 and which must prove of eminent utility to our agriculture. 



Our distinguished fellow citizen, Mr. Webster, of the United States 

 Senate, likewise, in his recent visit to Europe, took pains to bring 

 home, at considerable personal trouble and expense, large samples of 

 wheat, oats, barley, beans, vetches, and turnips of the best kinds, culti- 

 vated in England, which were placed at the agricultural establishment of 

 Messrs. Breck &. Co. in N. Market Street, Boston. This is conferring 

 an eminent benefaction upon the country, and essentially addinor to the 

 great obligations which his fellow citizens are under, to his intelligence, 

 public spirit, and patriotism. 



Statement by T. F. Kjinnedy, Esq of Dunurc, former ly 31. P. for the 

 Ayr Burghs, respecting his experience of the System of Draining 

 and Sub-soil Ploughing, recommended by Mr. Smith, of Deunston, 

 in the county of Stirling. 



May, 1836. 

 I have practised Mr. Smith's system of draining and sub-soil plough- 

 ing upon my farm, in the county of Ayr, during the last three years, 



