On Thorough- Draining. 
39 
Question 4tli. — Interval and depth. 
Usually 5 yards asunder, depth from 20 to 30 inches. Our practical 
men arc quite at issue as to the depth of drain most suitahle on tlie clay 
soils, but deep draining is, I tliink, getting more into practice every day. 
Question 5th. — Price per rod. 
Manual labour from 3v. to 5^. for 20 rods, according to depth of drain 
and nature of soil. The total expense is upon an average about 50^. per 
acre, but if rammed or dug about 20 or 22 inches deep does not exceed 
40^. ; and if peat is used, and the drain made 30 inches deep, the ex- 
4)ense would be rather over 3/. per acre. 
Question 6th. — Is the first spit raised by the plough? 
Yes. 
Question Tth. — Duration of drains. 
From eight to sixteen years, according to the depth of drains and 
mode of filling. 
Question 8th. — Variation in stiffness of land drained, and consequent 
adaptation of mode of drainage. 
There is a great difference in the stiffness of land drained, but not- 
withstanding which the usual practice is to set out the drains about 5 
yards asunder. The mode of drainage varies according to the opinion of 
the occupier. 
Question 9th. — Whether thorn or tile draw off the water best on stiff 
clay. 
Thorn. Tiles are in limited use in this neighbourhood, but it has 
been proved beyond doubt that, unless bushes, stones, or peat be put 
over them, the water will not draw off well on the stiff' clays. It is 
the opinion of most of the practical men in this neighbourhood that peat- 
draining is the most effectual system adopted ; the drains to be- 5 yards 
asunder, and from 26 to 30 inches deep. This mode is considered to 
be the most durable, except tiles covered with bushes, stones, or peat. 
Saffron Walden, March, 1842. 
III. Essex Draining — 3. By J. Oxley Parker. 
To W. Bramstan, Esq., M.P. 
My dear Sir, — With respect to " the antiquity of land-draining," or 
land-ditching, as it is more generally termed in this county, I am unable 
to arrive at any very definite conclusion ; but from all that I can gather 
on the subject, I should be inclined to believe that the system has pre- 
vailed, as a necessary adjunct to good farming, and as far as the cutting 
of parallel drains, filled with wood and straw is concerned, for a good 
