Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-09-04
Agricultural.
UNDERTAKING.
One Of the Grand Improvements in progress to supply
Bread to the increasing population Of England

THERE arc now in progress, in Great Britain,
two great and fruitful means Of adding to the Agri-
cultural products of the country, so much needed
by the growth of her population, TO wit Under
Draining aud IrrigafiOR. OF these two grea,
modes Of fertilizng land, the one the most expen-
sye, the other the most beautiful Of all ogricultur-
al operationsi the latter only in the opinion Of an
American citizen Of profound judgment, who looks
at such things wtth the eyes of Bacon or Brnd-
ley is applicable to our country to any great extent
Undertaking, which answers its purpose only
where it is thoroughly performed, is, perhaps too
expensive for extensive use in America. Like Iron
works, the establishment of which costs so much
money, few have capital equal to the enterprise,
but those who have get the better paid for their in
vestment. We have, however, seen understanding
practised with eminent skill and success, by very
plain, unpretending, worthy farmer in Prince
Georges county, Maryland, with results that do
high honor to his sagacity and forecast and the
more as, probably, he had never read any de-
seription, or any specimens Of the manner Of
conducting it. He, MIR Somers, residing some
miles below Nottingham, in Prince Georges coun-
ty, has successfully under-drained Doggy meadows
and adjacent upland, by means of large poles laid
along side Of each other, and covered in peculiar
and careful manner with cedar brush, and then
with sods and dirt. His example is well worthy of
being initiated, and might be, at least on small
scale in thousand instances in his own county,
with profit and with credit; and why should no,
the farmer be ambitious Of credit for the appear
ance Of his farm, the commander about the
cleanliness and discipline of his ship, or a colonel
for that of his regiment?
On the importance of draining so much neg
lected in our country as far as our observation has
extended, with some memorable exceptions, such
as may be seen at Indian Hill, we can only repeat
the persuasion heretofore expressed that next after
if not before thorough tillage, is thorough draining
"a process aptly denominated the mother of all
agricultural improvement. To this, the young far
mer on coming to his estate should give his first
attention and here again we perceive the necessi-
ty for early instruction in the principles of hydrau-
lies, so far at least 10 know the laws which gov
ern the rise and the running of water; for all al
tempts at draining must ultimately fall if not con-
Quoted with reference to such principles, whether
they be learned by experience sometimes dearly
bought, or by studying at school the science of the
Their of grain grass until the land has been drain
ed OF all superiluous moisture and yet there are
few farmers who might not reclaim portions oftheir
land by draining iudiciously conducted, which
would, when so reclaimed, be the most productive
portions OF their estate, and well supply the place
oil such as they might probably SELL or give to their
children. At all events. such eye sores as these
wet spots, throwing up useless if not noxious grass
es' and exhang malaria, are disgusting to look up
on, and ought TO be deemed as disgracefu TO any
practical farmer gals on the back or shoulders
Of his working animals. Underwood, under the
careful management of Ex-President Van Buren,, is
understood TO exhibit remarkable specimens of per-
severance and skill in the art and economy ofdran
ing
In due time, as we can get opportunity, the pat
Tons Of the Farmers Library and Journal shall be
put in possession of full information as to the prn
ciples and most approved materials and system for
this great means of retaining in ma
ny cases, the most valuable portions of their land
leaving them to decide how far they possess the
means OF carrying it out, each one in his own case.
This is one of the cases where men Of fortune and
liberal spirit might render essential service to Ag.
'culture, by putting in operation some specimens
IT the most approved methods of understanding,
n order to test for the benefit of those whose more
United means make it imprudent for them to lead
he way-the actual expenses and results. The
Gale of expenses abroad, on account of difference
II cost Of labor and materials, may not apply in
America, but the necessary allowance on these
'oints may be made, while the effects in regard TO
he moderation OF the land, and the increase of its
rop would be alike in both countries