Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1849-02-22
AGRICUL TUR AL
From the Baltimore American Farmer.
ON DRAINING WET LANDS.
R,rTTs,cF Janu3rv 1tb /.


To the Editor Of the ,1nerican Farmer
On the - ut | took the liberty of addressing sou
in regard to farmers of poor and exhausted lands
waiting them by sowing small seeds thereon and plough
ing the plants down after having grown to some size :
the oener this Is done in seasn, the better. ss
noticed song. Ii this system is carried on upon srue
farm, with every kind Of cattle. work horses during ID.
summer, and mich cows, with all the other stock, du
ing the night, the advantages past comprehension.
In travelling in this State, we'll as in several others
OF the Union have often noticed lands Of superiu.
quality very much in want of draining. shall there
FORE state the system Of draining have ca rried on
10 great advantage. When land is porghed in the fall
that part OF II Which is overrun with surplus will
show II best in the spring, when the surface water be.
gins To dry ups The farmer should at that time tax.
STAKES and mark out the upper line of the ground,
and leave all below this line Of stakes without pOughng
1t; but after his spring work dome commence cutting
the drain above the line Of stakes far that the surface
of the SOIL where the stakes We're driven down shud he
level with the top Of what the drain has been filled IN
with. BY this the ground where the stakes are
will be dug and another drain should cut below pa,
alIe to the other, ami on, until the drains are carried
on until they reach the bottom of The land OUT of which
the water issues All trese drains should end upon
main drain As TO their length, depth, and breadth
these depend altogether upon the quality ami elevation nt
the land One thing, however is certain-they should
always be dug deep reach the bottom Of the vet
land as tar the sHbso if poSsbe in order that every
drain may catch all the water that from above
Urave from the shore. from banks rivers creeks
or gathered on the land &C. best for filling up thes
drains: but when this he got stones ont of ouss
ry Will do; yet have branches f trees used ir tho
purpose. of filling up drains. By laying the large ones az
the bottom, and the smallest the top, and the Who'll.
covered with inch of leaves care being taken
that they within twoor three inches q the
al turned up by the plough 1t shonld be kept in mind
that the deeper the drains the fewer will be wan
ted. | have drains filled with branches of trees
that had been IN existence fr than forty years end
still keeping the land dry, by taking away the sur
plus water. have also seen swdmpy land 81 complete
ly dried by dIaius, that lpxurant crops of grain were
growing upon It, whilst II sntl and wet, belre
draining. that person could not walk upon it, Instead
o cattle grazing thereon where the drains rghiy
placed and runnng into main drain either opened
OF covered, by properly placing trough it, cattle are
often well supplied with water at all seasons from that
very ground which of before; and hy LAYING
pipes under ground from his ciSten the water NAV he
carried INTO the farm buildings, SC One hing shall
addn respect TO the emitting ofdrans 1t should always be
from the mouth upwards. the fall for the water lst
50 much as will allow it to filter easily through fill
ing up because, II made with much descent the water
will wash the earth into holes and stop its passage
Care should also be taken have the mouth of every
drain well filled with large stones or wood to prevent
the earth from washing away, matter whether tn.
drain 1t JOINS is covered open After the drain i com
peted in the cutting, the filling Up should commence
the highest elevations and descend is mouth 10
Ter whether there one and whether stones or
wood.
have said more upon this branch of farming than
infehde1 when began; but, Of the mos, par
tlcuia branches of that science have laid down this as
kind ofrnle To- by. those who never tried The sys
tenn. say nothing but what experience has taught me-
and If you think it worthy ynnr trouble TO condense what
have said into smaller scale and notice it in your ex
ceent publication shall feel myself much Obliged to
YOU do not forget that where human being can make
two blades If grass grow instead Of one he true ben
efscior ct The human
Should you hlnk would be If any advantage 10 YOUR
publication. would be very happy give you some &C
counts how The farmers IN The best frning districts in
England and Scotland in the raising of their different
kinds of stock. such black cattle sheep hogs SC and
also ct their seed Of he different kinds Of grain Grass
seeds. &c. As already stated. speak from experience
was bred farmer in Britain and intimately &C
quaintrd with noted stock breeders in the north NJ
En-, land and in Scatland
ain, dear sir, yours truly
THOMAS JOHNSTON
!" We shall he thankful q receive the account prom
led BY esteemed correspondent. the experience Of
the farmers If England and Scotland cannot fail to be ac
rs hIo tan