118 On Draining Running Sands. 
the tiles and first covering can be deposited. I have frequently 
found it necessary to fix planks to the falling sides, supported 
by cross-stays, to prevent accident, and keep the drain open until 
the work be completed. 
After the clay or strong soil is well trodden in and thrust down 
the sides of the tiles with a common spade, the sand thrown out 
in making the drain is then filled in, and is firmly beat down by 
treading, and sometimes by i nnning a broad-wheeled cart upon 
It, in which is put a sufficient weight, in order that the covering 
of the drain may become as firm as any other part of the field. 
This is done to prevent the water from descending or finding a 
channel to the tile in that direction, or it would be almost impos- 
sible to keep out the sand. 
SuflBcient lias been said by different authors, especially in those 
Essays which are published in the Royal Agricultural Journal, as 
to the proper and natural course of the water — how it does and 
ought to enter the drain — without my entering at all into that 
part of the science of draining. 
On account of the quantity of labour required in forming the 
drains, varving according as the land is wet and undulating, and 
again, the desideratum being rather permanent and well-executed 
work, than a large amount of it, I have had the work done, for 
the most part, by the dav rather than by the piece. Notwith- 
standing I have occasionally stipulated for the cutting of the two 
bottom spits, which together sink the drain about 30 inches, at 
the rate of '^\d. per 7 yards. The tools required are the common 
spade, shovel, draining-tool, and what is called the swan-necked 
scoop for cleaning out the bottom of the drain. 
The pipe-tiles having been of late introduced into this neigh- 
bourhood, I have commenced using them. The drains are cut, 
and every other part of the work performed in the same way as 
when the common tiles are used. But on account of the land 
having been but recently drained by them, my observations are not 
sufficiently matured to justifv me in saying that they are in all 
respects equally good with the common tiles. 1 find it sometimes 
difficult to get them to fit close enough to each other, the ends 
not being quite straight, and some of them curved in the middle ; 
therefore it is necessary to apply clay to most of the joinings. 
Of these running sands I have drained about 500 acres, and 
when the j)lan which has been stated here at large was adopted, 
which has generally been the case, the average cost per acre was 
about bl. bs.; that is to say, 1500 tiles, at "iGs. per thousand; 
3000 bottoms, at lis. per thousand ; cutting, 1/. lOs. ; and inci- 
dental expenses, 3s. ; total, jl. os. 
I shall now conclude these remarks by stating the result of 
these oj)erations in draining, which indeed must be considered in 
