On Draining. 



53 



of the year, and in the coming spring ? If the success of the work 

 is to depend upon the summer heat, the soil can profit little by it 

 for some nine months, at the least^ of the most important in the 

 agricultural year. If the result is attained at once, it may be said 

 that a whole farming season is saved. 



But now comes the critical question of cost. These advantages, 

 even if realised, may be too dearly bought ; and I am bound to 

 show that their price can be brought within ordinary limits. I 

 own I felt this strongly at all times, and I have accordingly 

 weighed the matter with care. I think I can show that there is 

 nothing out of proportion with the object to be attained. 



In the first place let me point out a few particulars, in which I 

 am enabled, by the very nature of the system, to economise. 

 When I place deep 4-foot drains, merely, on the one hand, to 

 tap the lower sources — the springs and the loose watery shales — 

 and to withdraw continually the moisture which, by however slow 

 a percolation, makes its way downwards through the incumbent 

 clay beyond the reach of the shallower system, and on the other 

 simply to serve as conduits for the receipt and transmission of 

 that which flows from those above, I am able to neglect all refer- 

 ence to their drainage of the surface in deciding upon their dis- 

 tances. I have no doubt that, under these circumstances, their 

 intervals may be made safely greater. I should hesitate, in any 

 clay, to separate deep drains so far as 60 feet, if their business 

 were to drain the surface ; so I believe would most authorities. 

 But I feel satisfied that for the more limited purpose it may be 

 safely done ; and I have every reason to believe that my experi- 

 ence has proved its sufficiency. In the ordinary method 10 or 

 12 yards are the distances of which we usually hear for deep 

 drains ; and they seem to be as great as can be expected to render 

 them efficient in stubborn soils. Now it must be remembered 

 that the expense of cutting increases at a greater ratio than the 

 depth ; and if for half their number, therefore, we substitute others 

 of half the depth, the difference of cost would be less, by more 

 than the same proportion. 



But, again, 1 have, I believe, like many others, always hesi- 

 tated to lay my deep drains with pipes of one inch diameter. 

 Though it is true, I admit, to demonstration that these small 

 channels suffice to carry ofl' an almost incredible amount of 

 regularly flowing water, still, considering the extraordinary sup- 

 plies which they may be sometimes called upon to convey, and 

 the difficulty and expense which, if ever seriously overcharged, 

 must be incurred in opening and repairing or relaying them, I 

 have thought the additional cost of a little larger diameter was 

 well repaid by the smaller risk. The same may be said of any 

 trifling chance obstruction ; which would take a greater effect in 



