Stratjieldsaye. 
261 
think they'd draw if they put them into that," said the labourer, 
pointings to the clay, into which he was employed in sinking them 
3 feet deeper. On these clays the present draining standard, 
gained by an experience of forty years, is a depth of 3 feet, 
and an interval of 20 or 30. Some drains were, a few years since, 
put in 5 or 6 feet deep, and 60 feet apart. The depth was un- 
necessary, for all the water is surface water ; no springs are 
tapped till the chalk is reached, 320 feet down ; and the dis- 
tance was so great, that drains (3 feet deep) were required in the 
intervals. So completely did the Duke carry out this founda- 
tion of all agricultural improvement on such soils, that, thi'ough- 
out his property here, but few acres, requiring draining, are 
now undrained. His agreement with the tenants generally was, 
that they should haul the pipes, and pay five per cent, on their 
cost price at the kiln, and on the expense of putting them in. 
The chief difficulty experienced has been from roots of trees, 
and even of thistles. Main carriers, 10 or 13 inches' diameter, 
have been found choked with them. 
The Duke's next improvement was chalking : 15 tons on the 
sand and gravel soil, and 25 on the clays, are considered a good 
chalking, the effect of which is the same here as elsewhere, both 
in the north and south. A particular instance of its mineral action 
is the destruction of the wild-chamomile on the sand and gravel 
soils, by correcting the acidity which nourishes that weed. 
Before the construction of the Basingstoke and Reading Railway, 
chalk was carted from Basingstoke at a cost of from 9<Z. to Is. 
per ton per mile in this heavy country ; now it is delivered at 
Bramley Cross at Is. Qd. per ton. 
Farm-buildings were the next consideration. These were once, 
as too many others in Hampshire still are, wretched hovels of 
boards and thatch. They are now brick, boards, and slate. The 
convenience of the farmer and the labourer has been equally 
cared for. New farm-houses and labourers' cottages, with suitable 
accommodation, and with a quarter of an acre of garden attached, 
have been built. School-houses in the different villages have 
been erected. 
The results of these changes are seen in the improved svstem 
of agriculture on his Grace's own farms, and on the fields of 
those tenants who have been inspired by his example. Roots 
are grown ; seeds are sown with spring corn ; the four-field 
rotation, not possible formerly, is being adopted ; the drill, 
sowing 6 or even 4 pecks of seed, instead of 8 broadcasted, 
and the horse-hoe, are at Avork on land which previously would 
not bear the treading of horses ; some of the roots are hauled to 
the yard for the grazing-beasts ; more manure is made at home ; 
guano and superphosphate purchased ; indeed some landlords 
