278 



On the Drainage of Land, 



I was conducted over it by Mr. Bright (the respected land- 

 steward in the management of the property) ^ who gave me the 

 details contained in this paper ; and^ on riding through the farm, 

 — which then presented an appearance of the most luxuriant 

 vegetation, — described to me the condition of the lands in 1820. 

 The larger park^ which had been long divided into fields, was ill 

 cultivated, and the lesser park might be fairly viewed as one bed 

 of rushes. The circumjacent common-lands were also covered 

 with heath or rushes, and, in the lower parts, with alder. The 

 extent of surface which did not require draining was compara- 

 tively small ; and the whole consisted generally of a light soil, 

 rather inclined to peat ; the subsoil being chiefly a stiff clay. 



While the enclosure was in progress, some very deep drains 

 were made in the marshy lands of the larger park, which were 

 effectually drained, and from which large volumes of water now 

 issue. As soon as the enclosure was completed, other deep drains 

 were made on several parts of the allotted waste, and for the most 

 part with excellent effect. 



Things were in this state when Mr. Bright became agent to 

 Lord Hatherton, about eleven years ago. He immediately con- 

 ceived the notion of putting a portion of the waste allotments, and 

 the whole of the lesser park, containing a surface of nearly 600 

 acres, through a regular course of thorough drainage, and after- 

 wards collecting the whole of the drain-water into two main 

 channels ; with the double intention of conducting one of them 

 through the farm-yard, for the purpose of obtaining by it a water- 

 power for various objects connected with the estate, and then em- 

 ploying it, in conjunction with the other stream, in making an 

 extensive tract of upland water-meadows. 



The plan occurred to him in consequence of there being no 

 natural stream on any part of this land. It must, however, be 

 acknowledged to have been a bold attempt, which could only have 

 been conceived by a comprehensive mind and a man of great 

 practical knowledge ; but it was liberally seconded by his noble 

 employer, and has been accomplished with admirable success : as 

 the following statements will sufficiently explain. 



First, as to Draining: — 



