326 
On the Drainage of Land. 
that have been made upwards of fifty years, still good, though 
Avith no remains of wood left ; and what is that more than a clay- 
drain ? 
I have known the mole-plough used, but it cannot be depended 
upon ; some drains of this kind will stand good for a time, while 
others will choke up almost directly. In mole-draining there is 
nothing taken out ; the soil being only pressed aside, no doubt 
soon expands again, and for this reason they soon close. Peat I 
have never seen used, but, if it will not rot underground, it would 
answer the purpose on arable land, as turf does on pasture in 
making turf-drains. Turf-draining is somewhat similar to clay- 
draining, only instead of filling the drain with the clay that is 
taken out, a piece of turf cut thus. 
is well rammed into a 
drain cut thus, 
which has the following appear- 
ance Avhen finished, 
If the turf be of the nature of clay, not of mould, or with too much 
vegetable matter in it (if it has, it will be likely to rot and fall in), 
it will last a long time ; but I consider clay better than turf, as 
there is nothing in it to rot. I have seen turf used in a different 
way, by putting the grass-side of the whole turf downwards, not 
ramming it at all, thus, 
but I consider that a very bad 
way, as the turf will soon fall in. I have put stone on instead of 
the turf, and it has answered very well. 
Before describing clay-draining, it will be necessary to say 
what tools are required. They will be a common spade, a hollow 
one, or navigator's tool, two scoops for taking out the crumbs, one 
4 and the other 2 inches wide, a tool, for taking out the bottom 
spit, 3^ feet long, partly iron and wood, the iron part, side view. 
