470 
Farming of Devonshire. 
tion supplies in abundance. The best mode of application is in 
the form of a compost. For this purpose during the winter 
months the weed is drawn from the shore and formed into heaps, 
and lime is laid between every layer of 6 or 8 inches in depth. 
After remaining in this state for two or three months it is turned 
occasionally, and, when well decayed, is applied to the land be- 
fore a root-crop, generally potatoes. In clay soils its beneficial 
effects are evident, for, in addition to its fertilising properties, it 
renders the land less tenacious ; and the roots obtaining their 
supplies of food more readily, the crop grows with increased 
luxuriance. When employed on sandy land it maintains a de- 
gree of moisture in the soil during the summer months, arising 
from the attraction of water by the salt. 
Draining. 
The value and importance of drainage is well known, and 
within a few years extraordinary advances have been made 
towards its more perfect practice] throughout this county. Re- 
ference to a geological map will show the districts in which 
draining is necessary. The whole area occupied by the carbon- 
iferous deposits having a retentive clay soil on a similar subsoil 
stands much in need of artificial drainage. The hilly land of this 
district contains a large number of springs, and we find many 
of the drains taking a serpentine course, so as to tap as many 
springs as possible ; but the better plan is to cut branches from 
parallel drains. In the South Hams the soils are intermingled, 
some permitting the surface water to percolate through them 
freely, whilst others are closer in their texture and retain it. 
Hence throughout this district draining is only partially neces- 
sary. Passing to the soils on the red sandstone formation, we 
find them for the most part possessing a natural drainage into the 
porous substratum of sand, and, except in a few instances where 
clayey loams occur, no artificial drainage is necessary. The 
general practice of this county has been stone-draining, and occa 
sionally horseshoe tiles and soles. Within two or three years 
more improved methods have been adopted on the estates of Earl 
Fortescue in North Devon, and through the agency of the West 
of England and South Wales Land Drainage Company on much 
land in this and neighbouring counties. This company was esta- 
blished " to afford to landowners and occupiers increased facilities 
for the draining of their lands, by executing the necessary opera- 
tions with the most suitable materials in such a manner as may 
be deemed the most scientific, economical, and effectual ; or by 
the advance of capital for such purposes, the cost incurred thereby, 
or the money advanced to be repaid by instalments." It is 
pleasing to observe that the success which has attended the ope- 
