326 



Farming of Lincolnsldre. 



as before observed, is likely to be adopted over a much greater 

 portion of the level than at present : for besides being necessary 

 for the good drainage of the low sand and peat which lies too far 

 from the Trent to be raised by the process of warping, in some 

 cases the warped lands themselves, though their surface has been 

 heightened from ] ^ to 3 feet, and of course has a better drainage 

 than the land not warped, will not be effectually drained without 

 mechanical assistance.* Jn some parts of the level during dry 

 seasons water is admitted from the high-level drains, and in the 

 present condition of the drainage in those localities this supply is 

 found to be useful and advantageous. There is now an excess of 

 moisture in winter and a scarcity in hot weadier, so that plants 

 are rendered sickly by the damp atmosphere and saturated earth 

 of one season, whilst their dry leaves are parched by the heat and 

 their roots suffer a famine of liquid food during the other. 

 Owing to the wetness of the soil, the particles in drying come 

 into such close cohesion that the mass in a great measure loses its 

 capacity for retaining moisture, the ground becomes parched and 

 arid in the summer, and vegetation can find no nutriment ; to 

 refresh and vivify the crops the lands are then fed with water 

 from the drains, and an immediate benefit ensues. But if the 

 soil were never allowed to fill itself with cold moisture, and the 

 water in the ditches were kept 3 or 4 feet below the surface all 

 winter; if the subsoil, no matter how loose and sandy, were 

 thoroughly well under-drained to the same depth ; would not 

 the soil preserve during the summer that segregation of particles 

 which enables it to hold moisture, and, instead of pinching and 

 stunting the root fibres, present a free and nourishing medium 

 for their growth ? This inquiry may hereafter be answered 

 in the affirmative by those who shall experience its truth, for 

 though it must result from a natural drainage, it is not, therefore, 

 a desideratum out of reach, there being no physical obstacle to 

 the draining of this level by the natural fall of the waters to sea. 

 Steam has effected, and will jet effect, great improvements here ; 

 but the ""only perfect system" of drainage is certainly prac- 



* For the information of those who have occasion to make use of steam-poAver for 

 draining their farms, the following estimate, by a very intelligent occupier in the Isle of 

 Axholme, is here subjoined. The engine which drains his farm of 400 acres is a port- 

 able one of eight horse power. He uses it for thrashing corn, and when requisite takes 

 it to the scocp-wheel, which, with its driving machinery, is permanently set down. The 

 cost per acre for drainage alone is thus computed : — 



£ s. d. 



Cost of engine and driving gear, scooping-wheel, &c., 250/., at 



10 per cent 25 0 0 



Coals, 10 tons at 10s. (amounting only to Zd, per acre) 5 0 0 



"Wages, oil, tallow, &c. ...... 500 



400 acres at Is. 9c?. per acre . . . £35 0 0 



