THOROUGH DRAINAGE. 
‘Ir is now generally admitted that draining holds 
the first place among mechanical methods for effecting 
those changes upon the soil by which it is made more 
productive. No soils can be injured by its judicious 
application, but all may be benefited to a certain 
extent. It is useful even in sandy soils, and where 
the subsoil is light and porous; while in clay lands, 
and in all cases where stagnant water rests near the 
surface, it is very important if not indispensable. It 
is a necessary preparation for other agricultural oper- 
ations, and, when once thoroughly done, it constitutes 
a most important, permanent, and yearly increasing 
improvement, which can be fully produced by no 
other available means. 
A few of the many advantages that result from 
this process, and which experience has fully proved, 
are as follows: 
The drains not only take off all surplus water at 
once, — which is an immediate and remunerative 
benefit, — but they have also begun a process of 
change and amelioration of the soil, which is gradually 
deepened, until nearly on a level with the drains. 
