586 



TRANSACTIOXS OF THE 



that tliey do not require underdraining, that the subsoil is not 

 wet. Please to remember that the water caused by rain, and 

 snow, which falls in our country annually, is ample to cover it to 

 the depth of at least three feet ; what becomes of this immense 

 amount of moisture 1 how much of it percolates through the soil ? 

 how much enters into the constitution of growing crops, or eva- 

 porates into the atmosphere ? Who knows 1 Under all soils, near or 

 remote from the surface, there lies a strata of clay, hard-pan or 

 rock, impervious to water ; the rain drops sink by gravita- 

 tion, until it meets with one of these substances, and there 

 lies for many a long day, causing all the said complaints we hear 

 about unproi3ituous seasons, potatoe rot, wheat failures, &c. 

 Blame yourselves instead of Providence, for nine times out of ten, 

 if your crops fail, it is your own fault. You sow carrots, parsnips 

 and beets, in undrained land, and you find their roots spread in- 

 stead of running down, and your crop is a failure. Then, instead 

 of attributing the loss to your own negligence, you find fault with 

 the elements. How much better would it be to make drains suf- 

 ficiently deep to carry off all the stagnant water, and make room 

 for the ready escape of rain when falling in excess, and at the 

 same time arresting the ascent of cold water by capillary action 

 from springs beneath, containing frequently noxious matters, 

 always more or less abounding in undrained land, ready to im- 

 pair the growth of all deep rooted plants. When rain water falls 

 on thoroughly drained lands, it carries fresh air with it from the 

 surface, at least to the bottom of the drain, refreshing the earth 

 with moisture, and aerating it at the same time, making it loose, 

 sweet and friable, causing hard lumps to crumble into substances 

 adapted to permanent fertility, and ready to receive artificial 

 manures. The farmer who applies those invaluable enrichers, 

 wood ashes, bone eartli, nitrate of soda, lime, &c., to undrained 

 lands, actually throws them away. Whereas, if placed upon 

 well drained soil, he will obtain an adequate return, and feel 

 encouraged to proceed in devoting his money to the permanent 

 amelioration of his farm. You cannot make your soil too deep j 

 the roots of luzerne will extend thirty-two feet into a dry, well 

 pulverized bottom. Last summer I followed the root of a horse- 



