IMPROVEMENT OF LAND. 99 



in various parts, and I am anxious that every one having to deal 

 with the cultivation of land should prove them to theirs also. In 

 order to this, then, I proceed to give the following statement as to the 

 particular system of cultivation which I would recommend to he adopted 

 in order to increase the fertility of arable land, and consequently the 

 returns from it : 



1st. The particular stage in the course of cropping at which land 

 can be most advantageously improved is preparative to its being put 

 under green crop, as all the succeeding crops in the rotation will have 

 the full benefit from the improvements. 



2d. In taking up the green-crop portion of a farm for improvement, 

 the work should always be performed in the autumn, and before winter 

 sets in, in order that the land, after the works have been completed, may 

 lie exposed to the influence of the weather till spring. 



3d. If the land has been drained previous to being taken up for im- 

 provement, and if the drains are found in all respects in good order, 

 then no further drainage will be necessary, as, after the works shall 

 have been completed, the system of drainage in operation will be ren- 

 dered very much more effective to dry the land, from its greater porosity. 

 But if the land has not been previously drained, then this should be 

 attended to as the first branch of work to be performed in carrying out 

 its improvement ; for no land, if at all available for agriculture, can be 

 made thoroughly fertile until it is drained unless, indeed, the subsoil is of 

 so porous a nature as to form a natural drainage. In putting the drainage 

 into operation, it should be kept in view that, as the land is to be 

 trenched two feet deep, the parallel drains may very properly be put on 

 at a greater distance apart than would be found necessary were trench- 

 ing not to be applied. If, for example, it should be considered 

 necessary to open drains at seven yards apart on the land without 

 trenching, then they may be opened at nine yards apart when trenching 

 is to follow, and even at this greater distance prove very much more 

 effective in drying the land. It may be stated that on most lands where 

 trenching is applied, the distance apart of the drains may be made from 

 six to ten feet wider than would be necessary to dry the same lands were 

 trenching not applied to them. The depth of the common or parallel 

 drains should be about four feet, and in these pipes only should be used, 

 with collars, and never tiles with soles ; as in the case of the former 

 there is a continuous pipe formed for the passage of the water, while 

 in that of the latter there are great risks of displacement and obstruction 

 from various causes. 



4th. Simultaneously with the drainage, the trenching of the land 

 should be carried on. This should be performed by spade or fork 



