on certain strong Clay Subsoils. 
247 
not altogether abandon 24 and 30 inch drains ? The advocates 
for deep draining upon those strong clays upon which such a 
system has not been in use, say that it only requires that we 
should try the experiment in order to be convinced of its 
superiority: where does the proof of superiority commence ? If 
4 feet is obviously superior to 3 feet, might we not expect that 
3 feet would be in an increasing ratio superior to 2 feet ? We 
find experienced drainers continuing upon strong clays to vary 
their depth, being guided therein by other local considerations ; 
but if 5 feet draining is to explode 3 feet draining, the latter ought, 
lonj ere this, to have put an end to draining at still less depths. 
I am able to quote a statement from a gentleman in the 
neighbouring county of Herefordshire, whose experience has led 
him to abandon the practice of laying deep drains in stiff clays in 
favour of those of more moderate depth. The practical basis on 
which his opinion is founded gives it importance. 
Tarington, near Ledbury , Herefordshire, January 2%, 1847. 
With reference to your request as to my opinion of the deep draining on 
our stiff soils, I beg to say, that I have had much practical experience in 
draining such lands, yb?"TOe?'Z(/ at 5 feet deep, very rarely less than four ; but 
latterly two and a half and three feet. / am fully convinced that in dense 
clay lands 30 to 36 inches is fully as deep as it is profitable to drain, and that 
a drain at a greater depth will not answer the purpose intended. Where 
springs exist the case is of course different. I have drained with the best 
possible effect land at 30 inches deep, where I had previously drained at 5 
feet with only a partial effect. Yours, &c. C. A. Mason. 
W. B. Webster, Esq., &c. &c. 
I think the facts I have brought forward are sufficient to show 
that deep-draining will not prove successful alike upon all soils 
and under all conditions. Arguments and opinions unsupported 
by specific facts are of little comparative value; yet when it is 
shown that what is called the new system of drainage is not new, 
but has been tried long ago, great importance must be allowed to 
attach to its abandonment as evidence of its inefficacy. Elking- 
ton testifies to the fact of deep drains having been tried as a 
means of removing surface-water from strong clay soils in or 
before his time. No one could be more an advocate for going 
deep for springs ; but, with reference to trying the same plan 
for draining clay, he says (see his work, by Johnson, p. 137), 
" In soils that are so tenacious as to retain water on the 
surface, this method of draining (deep) has been tried, and found 
entirely to fail." Indeed, throughout, this work, and all others 
published up to about 1843, condemn going deep in strong clay 
subsoils. 
I have myself inspected many of the works executed by 
Elkington, and taken up drains put in by him eighty years ago 
(he began in 1764) ; and my observations, whether upon the 
