476 
Farm Reports. 
Piddle, which, after pursuing a somewhat irregular east and west 
route from its rise north of Inkberrow to near Upton Snodsbury, 
there turns suddenly southwards and continues that course with 
variations until it joins the Avon, near Pershore. Between three 
and four miles north of Pershore the southern boundary of the 
Tilesford Farm commences on the right-hand bank going up 
the stream ; it continues for nearly a mile and a half on the same 
side, and the Grove Farm begins just where it terminates, but 
on the opposite side of the stream, and continues for nearly a 
mile. Reference to the map will show the general topographical 
relations of the two farms ; and the fact of their situation in refer- 
ence to the stream will be sufficient to indicate the nature of their 
physical geography. The Tilesford Farm is situated on the 
eastern slope of the river valley, and the Grove Farm on the 
western ; the differences being that the latter extends a little 
beyond the boundary of the valley proper, while the former, 
though strictly confined to the valley of the stream, is divided 
into two unequal portions by a lateral valley, which has a direc- 
tion at right angles to its course. 
Geologically both of these farms present a monotonous con- 
tinuity of lias clay ; and the only variation observable in the 
soils is that they are somewhat lighter on the hill-tops, and slightly 
stronger in the valleys. 
Drainage. 
The drains at Pitchill were laid many years ago, so that 
nothing authentic can be said about them. When Mr. Bomford 
took the farm it presented the same appearance as most other 
clay-land farms in the district, the surface being regularly undu- 
lated with the ridge-and-furrow of the " lands." At present 
nothing of this kind is to be seen, the flat surface of the boulder- 
clay plain being as uniform as the rounded contour of the hills 
composed of new red marl. 
At Tilesford and the Grove the ridge and furrow still rule the 
surface, and most of the drainage there has been done under Mr. 
Bomford's supervision during the last few years. The drains, as 
a rule, run along the furrows, and are constructed of 2-inch pipes, 
main drains consisting of pipes varying from 3 to 6 inches in 
diameter, according to the feeders. The outfalls are set in brick- 
work, and are furnished with grates as a protection against ver- 
min. The distances of the lines of drainage vary according 
to the breadth of the lands, from as little as 6 to as much as 12 
or 14 yards apart. The cost of draining is, on the average, 
about Al. per acre for both labour and pipes. The Tilesford 
drainage has been performed under an agreement with the land- 
