No. 129. 1 295 



Chairniiin. — Professor Mapes makes some of his drains five feet 

 deep, while t!ie smaller ones leading to those deep ones are less, 

 and the deep ones are cheaper. 



Dr. Antisell. — In any drain the surface water moves slower 

 than that on the bottom. In one of oval form the more rapid 

 current will cause the water to sweep the bottom so as to prevent 

 sediment. 



Chairman. — Our great point is to drain cheaply. Cotgreave's 

 plough plane, noticed lately by the Club, gives promise of a facil- 

 ity and cheapness, which gives vast impulse to this valuable part 

 of agriculture — good far most lands, while it is indispensible for 

 wet lands, rendering the soil loose, friable, readily penetrated by 

 air and moisture. 



Mr. Meigs. — The drainage of nature by rivers and rivulets is 

 the great model for the farmer. A country thoroughly drained 

 this way, leaving no swamps, is the loveliest place in the world 

 for health and farming. Our artificial draining should be so 

 managed as to accomplish these points on every farm, for the 

 farmer who allows stagnant water or soaked lands about him, 

 will soon see the results in the grave yard, and debility in the 

 survivors of his family. We all know the terrible destruction 

 of health and life in the early settlement of our country. Health 

 visits the well drained lands, while the destroyer dwells near 

 swamp, and fen, and drowned lands! I have felt it to my sor- 

 row ! 



Dr. Antisell observed that similar diseases are found in London 

 in those spots of a like character as to moisture. 



Chairman — Not only is this true as to men, but as to animals; 

 the same causes often destroy stock — cattle and sheep. 



Dr. Antisell wished to be understood distinctly as by no means 

 recommending the expense of draining in porous light soils. 



Mr. Carter remarked that it is very plain that we sliould put 

 our drains below the reach of frost or the plough, but never belo\r 

 clay or any hard pan through which water cannot percolate, llio 



