582 Abstract Report of Agricultural Discussions. 
which the outlets have been for some months discharging from a few 
di-ains adapted for the drainage of a large area, as mucli as 3 inches of 
w ater over the whole superficies per diem, although but little rain has 
fallen on the surface for a considerable period. In this case the \vater 
stands above the pipes. In the month of June this water will decline 
to their level. A superficial observer would declare the land not 
drained, though the eflect of the drainage has been to discharge in the 
last month (February) more than twice the average quantity of M'atci- 
that falls annually on the siu'face. Again, such is the porosity of 
certain districts, that 11. well spent in securing a deep and efl'ective 
outfall, is equal to many pounds sjient in shallow and frequent under- 
drains, although the outfall is not sufficient of itself to effect a cure 
without subordinate under-drains, few and far between. A curious 
instance, illusti-ative of the peculiar character of free soils, occurred 
upon the Eibstone Estate. On the occasion of a recent flood the open 
outfall cuts were filled with water, and one field was observed to be in 
a very wet and quaggy state ; so rotten, in fact, that it was hardly 
possible to walk across the field. The drainage was for the moment 
considered defective, although the test-holes had responded satis- 
factorily to the drains that were put in. When the outlet was visited 
the water was found many feet above it, on a level with the land 
itself, and an index well within the field was found to be full of water 
up to the brim. Within a week of this observation the waters in the 
outfalls had receded, the outlet and well became clear, and the soil 
became as firm as ever. Thus we see that the whole of the field had 
been re-satui-ated by water from the ou+*\ll permeating its whole 
mass ; and that as quickly as it penetrated, so it receded when the 
outfalls were clear. This field ten years ago would have been drained 
on the parallel system ! Numberless instances could I give to show 
that more comprehensive views are suitccf to free and mixed soils, if 
wc are to drain them consistently with their properties, and with due 
regard to the water economy of the country ; but I abstain from mul- 
tiplying them. It is not long since successful efforts were made to 
regulate the salmon fishing of our stieams, and legislative powers were 
sought and obtained ; but then private interests were at stake. Here 
tbe matter is a general one, and I fear few will be found to take any 
prominent lead in initiating measures which shall lead to river reform. 
The more numerous the evils, and more diflticult the means of over- 
coming them, the less likely are we to have immediate remedies. In 
the matter of oui- rivers, the injury we arc sufl'ering is progressive and 
accumulative ; they are not limited to the increase of floods, but 
extend to the contamination of the water, for many towns are dis- 
charging their sewage into streams previously puio. But until the 
floods have increased, so as to involve the loss of life ; until the waste 
that has been occasioned by the inapju-opriate drainage of free soils has 
told its own story ; and until our rivers arc made insufferably foul, we 
shall find no remedy. As one who has been interested from its 
infancy in drainage as a system, and who from active employment up 
to the present time has become acquainted practically with existing 
defects, I shall not bo reproached with placing mysell' unduly promi- 
