Illustrations of Irish Farming. 
411 
withstanding that his lease is drawing near its termination. 
The drains are 'd\ to 4 feet in depth, and from 30 to 40 feet 
apart, but in bog the distance apart ranges from 40 to 90 feet, 
and 4 feet in depth. The minor drains are generally filled 
15 inches deep, with broken stones ; in some cases pipes have 
been used. Where the stream is strong the conduit is built 
with stones, having an opening for the passage of the water, 
12 inches in height, and 9 or 10 inches wide. The draining is 
done by piece-work ; cutting has cost Q>d. per Irish perch of 21 
feet, and the stones are broken and filled in for another 6c?. per 
perch. In laying off a field for draining Mr. Simson follows a 
plan — devised by him a number of years ago — to find the true 
fall of the field, by means of which the bottom of each drain is 
kept on a level with the one parallel, and clears inequalities 
more satisfactorily than by the usual mode of adopting an 
■ordinary furrow as the line of drain. By this plan the level is 
first taken about midway down and across the face of the 
declivity, and having got that level a furrow is drawn to mark 
it. The drains are then set off at right angles to this furrow, at 
such distances apart as may be considered desirable. In some 
fields more than one dead level will require to be taken. Those 
to whom Mr. Simson has communicated this method of laying 
off drains have found it very satisfactory, as it is almost impos- 
sible to do so correctly by the eye, or by taking the ordinary 
furrow as a guide. 
On the Cloona Castle division of the farm there is a fair 
extent of plantations, mostly old timber, which gives a warm 
appearance to the place ; but there are a thousand acres at 
Gallows Hill which an American would call a splendid clearing, 
for there is not a single plant upon the whole extent in the 
shape of a forest tree. This is certainly a great defect, more 
■especially as that division lies high and exposed ; and 100 acres 
at least might be planted with great advantage to the farm. 
Another improvement much required on Mr. Simson's farms 
is cottage accommodation for labourers. It is a matter of neces- 
sity that the persons required for the labours of a farm be resi- 
-dent in cottages on the lands, so as to be near their work. The 
families of these labourers would also form a reserve from 
whence hands could be provided, either for every day matters or 
in busy seasons. When the labourers employed on a farm are, 
as is mostly the case in Ireland, holders themselves of small 
farms, they and their families cannot be depended upon at all 
times, as their own concerns require frequently to be looked 
after. 
Besides the farms of Cloona Castle and Gallows Hill, 
Mr. Simson now holds the farm of Kilrush, on the estate ot 
