Tke Farming of Cheshire. 
79 
moisture, a clayey substance will become too soft to support the 
narrow edge of a tile for any length of time, where there is a pres- 
sure of from two to three feet of soil upon it. I have lately seen 
drains taken up as being perfectly useless; in some instances 
owing to the tiles sinking — in others, to the tiles decaying (which 
will be the case when not made of good material, and properly 
burnt), and in others, to the moles and other vermin filling them 
with soil. 
There are many manufacturers of tiles in the county : there are 
three on one estate in the Hundred of Broxton — the Tweedale 
and several other works along the Ellesmere and Chester Canal — 
and, in addition to many others which might be named, there is a 
manufactory on Ridley Hall farm, in the Hundred of Eddisbury, 
where the best I have seen were made. In the year 1829 I had 
to send twenty miles for 1000 tiles for which I had occasion: 
thev were charged 455. per 1000, and were so badly burnt thai 
one-lhird of them were broken in the carriage. Tiles of the same 
size, and a good quality, are now selling at from 25s. to 30s. per 
1000. 
In one instance, which has come under my notice, half the 
value of the tiles is charged by the landlord to the tenant : this 
charge certainly gives the tenant a pecuniary interest in them ; 
but whether such a regulation will materially contribute to the 
object in view, viz., a more extended and perfect state of drainage, 
is very doubtful. On one estate in the Hundred of Broxton, the 
agent (whose zeal for improvement is highly commendable) under 
the direction of the noble proprietor, employs a number of drainers 
regularly throughout the winter months, to perform the work for 
such of the tenants as may require it, charging them with about 
two-thirds of the expense. This plan ensures a belter system of 
draining than if done by persons who have not had the advantage 
of practice, and who, therefore, do not possess much skill in this 
most useful art. On this property there is a very ingenious, and, 
I may add, humane contrivance, the invention of the gentleman 
alluded to : it consists of a portable house, on low wheels, which 
is removed, as occasion requires, from farm to farm, and from 
field to field, for the purpose of affording shelter to the drainers 
during rainy weather, comfort during meal-times, and a safe de- 
posit for the tools, when the men are not at work. I have been 
informed that, by this contrivance, the men are enabled to proceed 
with their work during showery weather, with very little loss of 
time; when otherwise they would frequently, on the first fall of 
rain, proceed to a beer-shop, and lose the remainder of the day. 
The following extracts from letters, with which I have been 
favoured, will afford additional information upon this important 
branch of agricultural operations: — 
