328 
DRAINAGE OF SOILS. 
stances of the ground, is often a misapplication of labour and loss of 
capital; indeed, in many instances, where it can with propriety be 
used, the end would be much better attained by the proper formation 
of ridges and furrows, combined with deep ploughing, so that no 
water can remain dead. I have often seen large tracts of clayey land 
intermixed with whitish travelled stones, lying in sub-soils perfectly 
impervious, effectually drained by means of trench ploughing, and 
beeping the furrows regularly deep from one end of the ridge to the 
other. If farmers occupying clayey soils would pay more attention 
to the formation of the ridges and furrows, and to keeping the open 
ditches and water gaas, or cross furrows, sufficiently deep, to clear the 
surface of all stagnant water in the hollow parts of the fields, there 
would be much less necessity for making drains for removing surface 
water. After the cause of the wetness has been discovered, and the 
most convenient place for discharging the water ascertained, the lines 
of the drains must be fixed, according to the principles already laid 
down, by means of pins, small pits or plough furrows. If the work 
is to be done immediately, pins or small pits will be sufficient marks 
to direct the workmen ; but, in case of its being delayed any length 
of time, a furrow should be drawn with the plough in the line of each 
drain, which will shew itself two or three years; indeed, to prevent 
mistakes, from the marks being removed or trampled down bv cattle, 
plough furrows are preferable to all other marks. 
Open Drains .—In draining bogs or moss where the drains do not 
reach the bard bottom, ditches are preferable to covered drains, for 
should stones be used when the bottom is very soft, they would sink, 
whereby the drains would become useless : indeed, in all situations 
where the ground will allow it, the principal drains should be open; 
and when they can become the devision of fields, which, in many in¬ 
stances, is practicable, that should never be neglected. It would be 
unnecessary to give any particular directions for their depth or 
wideness, as that must depend on the quantity of water they are 
to convey, and on the nature of the soil and situation in which they 
are made : one rule, however, may be general, that the width at the 
bottom should be one third of that at the top, which gives a sufficient 
slope to the sides, and the fall or declivity should be such as the 
water may run off without stagnation. In very soft soils, a greater 
degree of slope on the sides may be necessary ; and in all cases 
where it is meant to receive surface water only, none of the earth 
thrown out should remain upon the sides, but should be removed 
to the nearest hollows; for when this is not done, their use is in a 
great measure counteracted. The earth, when left on the sides, pre- 
