'he Joums^o^THE Royal 
ing one on either side ; the labour or cost of this is 
therefore undertaken mutually by the respective owners. 
Now it will be seen that in drainage facilities this farm 
is placed in a peculiarly fortunate position, and it can 
hardly be taken in this sense as an example of what 
pertains to every other. 
In the trench fronting the farm there is afforded a 
constant and convenient outlet for surplus moisture. 
On the other hand in the dry season the fresh water in 
the same trench is conserved by a lock contrivance, 
and the farmer may with very little trouble moisten 
the roots of his plants if he be so inclined. 
The whole question of drainage is one of the most 
serious nature to those who embark upon farming. On 
occasion it proves so great a dead weight to the poor 
struggling agriculturist that he yields to despair, and 
turns his back upon the plot which, perhaps, engrossed 
his labour and coin for years. Nature is very kind to 
these Victorian farmers, and to the one especially whose 
property is the subject of this paper. In the description 
of the soil, its elevation and contiguity to so large a 
drainage trench, are to be seen features that equally 
with the labour and care bestowed upon the farm make 
for success. The cost of digging the requisite drains is 
about 16/- per bed. This is the figure calculated by 
the farmer, but it must be accepted as a mere estimate, 
as no outside labour, except to assist in reaping cassava 
at certain periods, is ever employed. The well devised 
system of drainage is the work of the farmer's own 
hands, as is indeed every other branch of service carried 
out on the farm. In spite of all precautions, in seasons 
