L'arniiHii of i'urJishirc. 
95 
and mutton maintain tlioir lil<;li ])ricc ; "jrcatcr produce is invited ; 
and yvt wo supinely look on, whilst our largest supj)ly oi" manure 
is passing- oil" unemployed and lost. 
Amongst the measures lor improyements still to be accom- 
plished, lew, if any, are of more importance than the revision of 
our regulations for the maintenance of the roads and highways. 
As the law now stands, an overseer of roads may expend the parish 
money, subject only to the accounts being audited by the justices 
at the petty sessions ; but who inquires whether the overseer is a 
competent person? or if the roads are judiciously repaired, or 
the parish money properly applied ? We think a remedy for 
this might be found by appointing competent surveyors ; but, as 
this subject may occupy the attention of the Legislature, we for- 
bear to do more than indicate its imporfemce. The appointment 
of such surveyors Avith powers to enforce the draining of the 
highways, which ai'e now throughout tlie greater part of the low- 
lands altogether undrained, would soon effect a great saving of 
expense to the parishes, giving them more substantial roads, and 
at less cost for materials. In like manner the wear and tear of 
sleepers on the railroads running through the lowlands would be 
much lessened by cutting on each side, not mere shallow channels 
for surface-water, but deep and effective drains, not less than G 
feet below the rails. 
In some parts of the country the preservation of game, and 
especially of four-footed game, is continued to a prejudicial 
extent, but considerate landlords have in a great many instances 
had the numbers reduced, and we trust to see their good example 
still further followed. 
While deep drainage is, without doubt, the foundation of every 
improvement in agriculture, yet, with all our experience, it is 
often most imperfectly done ; so many opinions prevail, each one 
putting forth his peculiar nostrum for universal application, 
whereas each district requires its own peculiar drainage : on one 
point, however, all are agreed, — the importance of procuring a 
good outfall. Take the district of Howdonshire, for example, 
which includes a circuit of fifty miles. This large district should 
be made to fall into the Ouse and Humber, the finest outfalls in 
England : but no great public effort is made to carry the water 
thence by efficient trunk-drainage ; whilst at present there is no 
proper drainage for this extensive district, excepting by two imper- 
fect channels made for navigation purposes, one of which is care- 
fully preserved. The Derwent, which runs through the northern 
parts, is so tortuous, and its outlet so bad, that the immense 
body of water which it gathers in its course floods a vast area for 
miles in extent and for weeks together. This district is now 
waterlogged ; and it is improbable, let the weather be never so 
