The Farmimi of Westmorland. 
33 
Hay Foil, Hutton Common, Potter Fell, llatliorhcatli, Under- 
barrow Common, and others, now partially cultivated or forming 
xavcragc and useful ])astures, have all been inclosed within a 
comparatively recent period : portions of these have been drained, 
limed, planted, and otherwise improved. All over the county 
the same process has been going on, and even some of the highest 
fells, such as Ambleside, Flartsop, Long Sleddalo, and Gray- 
rigg, have been, or are about to be, inclosed. 
Tiles have worked a revival in draining, which is in itself 
not only a fundamental improvement, but the stepping-stone to 
most others. 
Perhaps the most important modern improvement is the 
" Helsington, Underbarrow, and Bradley Field and Levens 
Drainage." This is a dead level tract of about 2000 acres, little 
above the sea-level, and not unlike a miniature of the fens of Lin- 
colnshire. The greater part was originally bog and peat-moss, cul- 
tivation creeping onwards on the removal of the turf — at that time 
the main supply of fuel for Kendal and the surrounding district. 
About sixty years ago it was allotted and inclosed under the 
Heversham Inclosure Act, the proprietors being very numerous. 
The Commissioners made embankments against the sea, and 
provided main drains and flood-gates. In course of time, from 
defect in the original outfalls and from the gradual settling 
down of the surface, the lands suffered from want of proper 
underdrainage, and were often submerged by floods. About 
the year 1838 an Act of Parliament was obtained to provide 
for the main outfall and sluice being carried three miles 
further seaward, so as to discharge into the Kent Estuary at 
Ulpha Crag. Four feet additional fall were thus obtained, the 
main cuts enlarged and deepened, and the surrounding hill 
■waters, or " hard water," separated and discharged by " catch- 
waters." The works were completed at a cost of about 15,000/. 
The result has been most successful, and instead of a wide 
expanse of marsh and bog, often supporting little but snipes and 
wild ducks, there now appear wide fields of golden grain and 
glistening green crops ; the annual value being in many instances 
raised from IO5. to 35s. or 40.9. per acre. The original peat- 
moss when removed leaves, within about four feet of the sur- 
face, a substratum of fine marly clay. The main drains are low 
enough for the branches to be cut 12 or 14 inches into this clay 
by a tool called the " long mouth." On the surface of the clay 
the workmen form "shoulders," which receive a solid wedge of 
firm turf, and an excellent drain is thus provided at a cost of 
from 4^r7. to 6f/. per rod of 7 yards, or about 30s. to 35s. per 
acre. Tiles are not desirable here, on account of the dead flat 
and frequent backwater. In practice it is found these drains 
YOL. IV. — S. S. D 
