46 



use of draining tools, quite cast clown in spirits, 

 because they found themselves unable to carry 

 out in practice the refined, elaborate, and expen- 

 sive systems of draining to which they had been 

 accustomed in the parent country. The difficulty 

 in some instances of getting a sufficient outfall, 

 and no draining tools, or pipes being accessible, 

 the operation was looked upon with feelings bor- 

 dering on despair. I have spoken words of en- 

 couragement to such people, and shown them 

 how they might make a commencement, at least, 

 with success. In a new country especially, we 

 must be guided in the character and extent of 

 our operations by the main physical conditions 

 of the surface ; in other words, aid and improve 

 nature's drainage. The clearin<!j out of streams 

 and creeks where they are obstructed by mud, 

 fallen trees, and aquatic plants, is the first lesson 

 to learn in prai al draining. In this way an 

 outfall can be gei orally obtained ; but in very 

 level districts to accomplish this primary and es- 

 sential object, the co-operation of several owners 

 of land, through considerable distances, is some- 

 times necessary. Few can fully understand, 

 apart from personal experience or observation, 

 what an advantage it is to improve the natural 

 water channels of a wet and level district. This 



