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LETTER LXVIII. 



Collon, Oct. 13, 1818. 



THIS morning was devoted to the inspection 

 of the farm, the intersection of which by 

 numerous roads renders its occupation very 

 commodious. The yards and buildings are 

 complete, combining every object of utility 

 with great convenience, in the attainment of 

 which no expense has been spared. A number 

 of ploughs were at work, drawn by oxen ; and 

 though the soil appeared untractable, the 

 ploughing was well done. I could not, how- 

 ever, but entertain an opinion that deeper 

 ploughing would have had a good effect in 

 rendering the surface less retentive of water ; 

 to effect which, great expense has been incurred 

 in draining and leading off the springs. The 

 till, or sterile clay, lies so near the surface, that 

 as soon as the roots of the grain reach it, they 

 become yellow, sickly, and cease to thrive: 

 to remedy this evil the ridges are gathered by 

 the plough to a considerable height, which, 

 though supplying a greater portion of earth to 



