•IGO 
Af/ricidturc of Nuttinghaiitsldre. 
cannot be deemed perfect, in which case the system of Elkington 
should be adopted to complete the improvement ; but the most 
advisable and effective mode, where by using an auger deep water 
can be raised nearly to tlie surface, is in the first instance to have 
holes dug in several parts of the land so deep as to contain w ater, 
and then liave deep drains made in the proper direction for inter- 
cepting upper springs, and likewise by boring to raise the water 
from lower springs. By such means, if the water be freely drawn 
from the various holes which have been dug, the drainage is 
complete ; otherwise it is requisite that parallel drains of the 
depth of 3 or 4 feet should be made at such distances as will 
effectually draw the water from the holes : and where, by the 
foregoing test, drains of the depth of 3 feet are proved to be 
effectual, it %vovdd be a useless expense to have them made 
deeper. The theory of Elkington is imperfect ; but he led the 
way to great improvements by the raising of water from deep 
springs and intercej)ting water from higher springs, and was well 
entitled to the reward he received. 
Great improvement has been effected in the mode of making 
and keeping in repair the roads in this county, and most of the 
public and many of the occupation roads are now in a good state. 
Before the present century very rough materials were generally 
used, and they were frequently laid in a trough, it is now the 
practice to have materials, small or well broken, laid on a surface 
inclining about an inch in each yard from the centre, and the 
materials kept together by loose earth on each side ; but wherever 
the surface of a road is tender, complete under-draining should 
be effected before the materials are laid thereon. Soft stone may 
be used with advantage if covered immediately with small broken 
hard stone or gravel ; and in repairing rf)ads small innterials 
should always be spread over tlie surface alter it is levelled, and 
not laid along ruts. It is important that the sides of the road 
should always be lower than the surface of the materials. 
The open drains and gates are greatly improved, and upon 
numerous farms the fences of whitethorn quickset are kept in 
admirable order from being cut after harvest yearly, so as to be 
very narrovv^ along the top. 
The greatest improvements in the county within the present 
century were made by the late Duke of Portland, who brought 
into regular cultivation and farmed extensive tracts of land, some 
of which had been previously let at 2s. an acre, and a considerable 
part as rabbit-warren and sheep-walk at a nominal rent, which 
lands have been highly cultivated according to the most ajiproved 
system of drill-husbandry. Much unproductive land has also been 
converted into excellent watered meadow by diverting the river 
Maun into carrier drains. 
