The Improvement of Grass Lands. 
319 
as they otherwise would. This draining may be done as cir- 
cumstances admit; but it is desirable, if possible, that it should 
be carried out in a permanent manner, with pipes. Failing this, 
when the value of the land will not admit of pipes, one of the 
following plans may be advantageously adopted: — 
1st. Mole-draining, which is effected with the mole-plough, 
has been known bv me to answer very well, both when per- 
formed by horses and by steam-power ; and although the drains are 
not laid so deep as when constructed with pipes, still they are more 
numerous, and thus to some extent the lack of depth is compen- 
sated for. But the farmer must be careful not to allow moles to 
harbour in the fields, otherwise they will soon destroy the drains. 
This mode of draining may be effected at an outlay of from 20a". 
to 40s. per acre. 
2nd. Thorns and straw may also be used as a substitute for 
tiles when the subsoil is very stiff, and they will often last 20 or 
30 years; for, after the material itself has decayed, some soils 
are found to set firmly enough to leave a passage for the water t» 
escape. 
ord. Plug-draining is also sometimes resorted to, where the 
subsoil is very stiff ; but I cannot say much as to the lasting 
character of this system, not many instances of its adoption 
having come under my notice. 
4th. Stone is another material often used as a substitute for 
pipes, and where it is plentiful and the work is properly done,, 
the plan answeis very well. Where, however, the soil is rocky, 
drainage constructed in any manner is necessarily a very expen- 
sive work. 
5th. Another mode of getting the water from the subsoil is hy 
the construction of open ditches ; and though these are very 
objectionable, the plan is often adopted, especially on the sides 
of hills, and where the water exists only in patches. 
Having by either of the foregoing methods relieved the soil of 
water, the next step will be to remove any bushes or brambles; 
or, on some land, gorse and heath ; each of which may with a 
little perseverance be speedily and effectually got rid of, by taking 
care, after once grubbing up and removing them, to let a man go 
over the land every summer with a scythe and cut everything off 
close to the ground. This, If well attended to, will in a few years 
destroy the nuisance. Thistles should also be cut every summer, as 
soon as they come into blossom, and should never be allowed to seed. 
The land having been drained will then be In a fair condition 
for renovation with grass seeds, the sowing of which will prove 
remunerative. A mixture of the grasses described at the end of 
this paper may be employed, or, If these are considered to be too 
costly, a bushel or two of perennial rye-grass may be used, but 
