On Thorough- Draining. 
47 
cost more than from 3^. to 51. The pipes cost 20 s'. when burnt 
with brushwood. Mr. Wood has used them for two years, and 
has found them draw well. I have also obtained the following 
account of them from Mr. Hammond, of Penshurst, in Kent: — 
" Penshurst, Marcli 21th, 1843. 
" As you wish to be informed of the expenses of draining with the 
cylindrical tiles, and my opinion of their effect, I have troubled you with 
this letter. Porous soils, with drains 3 feet deep, placed at the distance 
of 2 rods, in parallel lines up the field (and afterwards subsoil ploughed), 
will be completely drained at the following expense per acre : — 
£. s. d. 
1350 tiles, at 21s. per thousand 18 6 
Cutting drains and laying tiles, at 4(Z. per rod. .10 8 
2 15 2 
" I have not included the expense of fetching the tiles, as that de- 
pends on the distance, but they are made light, so that we carry 7000 
with one waggon. 
" I am at this time draining on a stiff clay soil ; the drains 2 feet 
deep and 24 feet between the drains — expense as follows : — 
£. s. d. 
1850 tiles, at 21s. per thousand 1 16 9 
Cutting drains and laying tiles, at 3d. per rod .17 6 
3 4 3 
" I have this winter drained about 10 acres with the round tiles, and 
I am quite satisfied they act better than any other yet made, as they are 
not liable to be disturbed by moles or other vermin (which the other 
sorts admit), and can be laid with greater nicety in the drains than any 
other shape. The effect of draining I have experienced for twenty years, 
and am quite satisfied that no expenditure on the land will make so good 
a return. As the effect of relieving the soil of the stagnant water to the 
depth of 3 feet instantly admits the atmosphere, and what before had 
been inert soon becomes active soil, and the root will penetrate it; and 
rain afterwards will pass through the soil into the drains with beneficial 
effects, when before it was injurious. 
" I am of opinion that the size of the tiles may be still further re- 
duced with an equally good effect, so as to reduce the cost of making and 
carriage 15 per cent, lower." 
Mr. Hammond's remark that 7000 of these tiles can be carried 
in a waggon is not unimportant, as 1000 tiles form, I believe, the 
ordinary load, so that here is a great gain for the farmer's horses. 
The slenderness of the pipe-tile is also a cause of its cheapness, 
because a much larger quantity than of the common tiles can thus 
be burnt with a given quantity of fuel — one of the chief items in 
tile-making. But I am happy to say that our prospect of cheap 
