The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-03-14
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAINING
AND

We remember well the time. when the idea of
fertility and heavy products was so intimately and
thoroughly blended with that of moisture, that
wherever we saw piece of land that was con-
sGnty moist, SO that no water laid on Its surface,
set down that spot as one that would not fail to
bring heavy Crop--especiallY OF grass; and we
have our doubts whether there was not time
when this was the common impression. Inquiry,
reflection and experience are, howeve, now doing
for agriculture what they have done for 9TH
er pursuits; ;and now fortunately the mind is brought
TO work at every turn, and impfcism and prejudice
are made 10 give way before investigation and
proof. Now the farmer is taught by the exercise
Of his reason, and even without knowing it, by the
principles of agricultural chemistry, that settled,
abiding moisture in land, resulting from some OBJ
structon to the escape of water, either rain or
spring water, is incompatible with that degree oi
1c0rMh which is one Of the indispensable condi-
tions to the deyelopement and growth egetabes
Hence, as the farmer who walks or rides over his
estate, and sees sunken or a low spot, which in
the driest weather shows signs of constant damp
ness. indicated by coarse aquatic glasses, or other
wise, he says TO himself, q" There is a portion at
my capital lying dead and inert must therefore
contriVe to drain il that the water viii not settle
upon or in 1t. and lhus give it life and activity
Then shall have removed the only obstacle which
prevents it from yielding heavier crop either of
grain or grass, than any other equal portion OF my
estate;''- for the farmer ought to lay il down as
rule, that even where he proposes TO lay down his
land in grass ii should yet be well drained as to
be well adapted to the growth of grain, Land So
laid dry, will, always give, with equal richness, d
better crop of cleaner and more valuable hay, than
that which is too wet to produce grain. Let him
who wants 10 see heavy crops of clean, nutritious
timothy hay,g go TO the naturally dry, hiiy lands,
such as George Patterson's, Gov. Howards or N.
Boshy's, on the Gunpowder, in Maryland. True,
there are many fields that are well adapted to the
growth, and produce heavy crops, of tobacco or
grain, that would not yield, aud at all events not
more than one crop, of timothy, or herds grass
as it is called in different parts Of the country; but
that is owing not to the absence Of moisture, but
to some other condition of the Iand--to too much
of one and too little Of another kind OF soil, and TO
other circumstances, not to the want of moistdre.
Moisture, it is undenable, is essential to the gowth
of all vegetables according to the laws OF vegcta-
bic physiology but not fixed, pent up moisture, Its
departure, like its coming should be free and natu
raj. If we appeer TO dwell too much on this sub
ject (of draining) it is because it is impossible to
pass along through the country without being
struck with the quantity OF land, on almost every
estate, the very best land it, which is made 81
and unproductive of all wholesome growths, by
circumstances that prevent the escape ofredundant
moisture, and il is among the foremost Of our
wishes, to see the minds of landholders possessed
of the conviction that it is idle 10 be sighing and
scheming, for more land, or repininga at the inade-
quacy of their income, while they already have
too many acres that lie waste and unproducuve-
paying interest but yielding no dividend for want
of draining, giuiIbing, cleaning and manuring.
Farmers Library.