i5
upon it. Neither the almond nor the hasel will endure a wanton mould;and though it seem a paradox that any soil should be too rich, (uponwhich some critics have suspected the text in Theophrastus , which afsertsit twice in two succefsive chapters) it. is yet a truth indubitable, and holds
method too expensive. Hence I took the idea of the sod drains, and the improvement ofthe tools. Mr. Young, in the second edition of his justly-esteemed Six Months’ NorthernTour, calls me the inventor of this method of draining. All the merit I claim, is that ofhaving introduced, together with an amendment of their construction, the application ofthese celebrated tools to a mode of draining with sods or turf, where stone, brick, or evenbrush-wood is extremely scarce and dear.
“ Wherever this is the case, I can, from my own experience, recommend the hollowdrains covered in the above manner.
“ I must observe that, in loose crumbly soils, where the wettrefs does not arise from theretention of water by an under-stratum of clay, but 'from springs, these drains are im-proper: For such lands they should be made of brick or stone. On the contrary, which ismost commonly the case, when the wet is prevented from pafsing otf by an under-stratumof clay, marl, or a.mixtureof both, these sod drains are excellent.
“ For if the whole staple or soil is cut through, as it ought to be, the narrow tool will bewholly worked in a solid body, and leave a firm compact ledge, or shoulder, of six incheswide on each side, for the sod to rest on. Fig. 4. plate 2. The strength -with which thesods are supported, and their depth in the ground, will effectually prevent their removalby any weight on the surface, and secure them from all effects of the weather. Being attheir least depth, twelve inches below the surface, they will also be beyond the reach ofthe plough.
“ With respect to the shape of the narrow drains, it will be scarce necefsary to observe,that their great depth and contracted width enable them to draw in the moisture of theearth, and at the same time lo-keep themselves clear and open.
il The tools should be formed of well-wrought iron, and made with great care and exact-nefs. Including the shaft, the narrow tool should weigh 12lb *.
References to the plates.
tl Plate I. fig. I. Afield with the drains properly laid out. AAA the main drains; aaathe narrow sod drains. Fig. 2. A brick drain. Proper whether the bottom be hard orsoft. Fig. 3. A brick drain, formerly recommended when the bottom was hard, as of clayor marl, but now discontinued for reasons already given.
M Fig. 4.- A narrow drain; a a the shoulders for the sods to rest upon; b the cut made bythe narrow spade. This, andyzo-. 2 and 3, may be measured by the scale of plate 2.
Fig. 5. The wooden frame to be laid in the trench. It is made of two oak boards, (inch