808 
The Agriculture of Staffordshire. 
nature of the subsoil ; and in draining some hundreds of acres, I 
have found that these points should be tested by trial, and not 
settled by routine. But sometimes the object has appeared to 
be to carry out certain official regulations, the depth has been 
measured by red tape, and pockets only have been drained ! 
It was in this county, on the estates of Sir Robert Peel and 
Mr. Thomas Gisborne, that Mr. Parkes's system was first carried 
out by the originator. Deep draining was the subject of one of 
Mr. Gisborne's able articles in the ' Quarterly Review.' 
On Lord Lichfield's estates about 7000 acres have been drained 
during the last fifteen years by the experienced agent, Mr. Wyatt, 
who availed himself of local skill and instructed the superinten- 
dents who took charge of the large staff of workmen. The drains 
were done at various depths, which were adopted after digging 
and trying the subsoils. Where veins of sand existed in the 
clays, bottom water was generally found, and this required thorough 
draining at a depth of not less than 5 feet. On the gravel-drift 
a porous subsoil is frequently charged with water, derived from 
a higher level, and rising in wet weather to a point where it proves 
injurious to the cultivated surface. In such circumstances Mr. 
Allen, of Knightley Hall, has drained the gravel 5 to 6 feet deep, 
at distances varying from 15 to 20 yards. Rain-water probably 
seldom finds its way into these drains in a locality where the 
average rainfall does not exceed 24 inches ; it is absorbed by the 
surface above the drains, and does not hinder cultivation. 
The mole-plough, an ancient implement so effective on Essex 
clays, has recently been introduced by Mr. Webb, of Smallwood 
Manor, near Uttoxeter. I saw this useful implement in Lord 
Bagot's Park attached to a 14-horse-power steam-engine, and 
armed with a large mole, 4 inches in diameter. It was marching 
over ten acres a day, at a depth of 30 inches and 1 rod apart, 
and would, therefore, soon complete its 300-acre task. The price 
charged for the work is 20s. an acre, and the cost of mains and 
fetching water, coal, &c., is Is. more. In all clay subsoils this 
is a most satisfactory mode of draining. Lord Bagot has expended 
14,000Z. or 16,000/. in draining in the last fifteen years by aid 
of the Lands Improvement Company. The depth was never less 
than 4 feet, and the distance about 8 to 12 yards, according to 
the nature of the subsoil. The effects are satisfactory. 
Labour. 
Corn is usually cut by piecework, at prices which in the case 
of wheat range from lOs. per acre to 20.s. or more. When reaped, 
it is usually done by the thrave of 24 sheaves, the number vary- 
ing from 30 per acre for a light crop to GO per acre for a strong 
