lU 
Drainage of IVhittiesea Merc. 
which to spread the cost of the plant was only taken at 270 ; 
whereas a far larger extent might have been included, and the 
«\xpense, so far as the cost of the plant is concerned, proportion- 
ately reduced. 
The average distance to which the soil is conveyed is about 
1 J miles. It is hoped that a very small increase of plant, which 
is about to be made, will, by affording a more economical arrange- 
ment of the work, admit of nearly an acre more per week being 
covered.* 
Many questions, bearing upon the success of this undertaking 
as a remunerative work, can only receive their full answer in the 
result of experience. For instance : as every additional half- 
inch of soil increases materially the cost of the work, it is all 
Estimated acreage warped 
Estimated acreage to be warped 
70 
200 
270 
Average cost of plant per acre 11. \ \s. lOfiZ., say .. 
Horse keep, &c., for 0 horses, at 12s. each 
() boys 
Horse-keeper 
£. s. d. 
3 12 0 
1 16 0 
0 8 0 
5 16 0 
1| acre per -week 
0-inch warping: 
Excavating and spreading 807 cubic yards, at 2J(/. per yard 
Cost per acre of 6-inch work 
4-inch warping : 
Deduct one-third cost of above excavating and spreading . . 
Cost per acre of 4-inch work 
If an estimate were made now under a comprehensive scheme, designed to 
embrace the whole Fen, at the reduced rate of cost to which different items have 
been brought in the course of actual working, its amount would be very moderate 
indeed as compared with the above statement. As an instance of reduction in 
prices, it may be stated that the first length of portable railway was purchased at 
the price of lis. per yard, whereas the last was furnished by Messrs. Verzette and 
Sons at O.s-. M. 
* The following items of the plant and labour may be useful : — 
Portable flanged wood-railway per yard, from 4.s. to 5s. 8(?. 
Permanent iron-railway per yard, 3s. 9(/. 
Trucks, each, from 5/. lUs. to 6/. 10s. 
Horses, each, about 'Zbl. 
Labour, excavating, filling, spreading, per cubic yard, from 2|(/. to Q>d. 
(yubic yards to cover 1 acre 6 inches deep = 807, 
Ditto ditto 4 inches deep = 538. 
