Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-09

Mr. Stephens lays it down principle that the drains
should be deep, at the least to place them beyond
the reach of subso ploughng--twenty-sx inches.
The following rules given by Dr. Shier, of the
ablest agricultural chemists of Great Britain:
st The drains ought invariably to down the steep
est descent and parallel to each other,
3D. The distance which the small drains placed
apart depends on the nature and of the SOIL the
depth which the drains to be put in and whether
| it is surface water alone they have to deliver.
3D. The best materials for the construction of the
water way of the frequent drains tubes, tiles and
soles waterworn pebbles from the beach, harped
gravel or broken stones decided preference should
be given tubes tiles and soes They cheaper
occupy space in the kiln we'll during transport
and are much less liable breakage; they easier
laid, effect complete drainage and less liable to
sitting sediment indeed to accidents of any kind
One of the important agricultural results of deep
thorough drainage is that after series of years the SUBJ
soil of thorough drained field changes into the
Of soil far down the level of the in the drains
This change in the subsoil is accounted for
1st BY the ameliorating effect of air and water pro-
ducng healthy decomposition of the organic and inorganic
constituents and thereby eliminating substances which
constitute the food of plants
I'd. By the washing out of deleterious ingredients
Sd. By the loosening of its texture.
4h BY the penetration of roots and by their ultimate
decay in the subsoil.
5th By the penetration of earthworms and insects.
Dr. Shier thus enumerates the results Of thorough
drainage:
1st When properly executed it always proves remu-
neratiye.
ID The quality as well the amount of the crops is
improved.
3d. Clay lands which could produce only wheat, beans,
clover have been made TO produce root crops thus
enabling the naked flow to be dispensed with and per
hitting the adoption of much safer and profitable
system of farming in which the rearing and feeding of
stock combined with the growth of valuable grain
crops.
4th. Thorough drained fields stand wet and drought
SOIL
9Th They are more easily titled and are in fit state
for tillage much greater number of days per
9Th All manures produce much greater effect on
thorough drained fields than on undrained ones.
The estimates of cost given in the report entirely
nappcable to country, and therefore omitted
Relative cost where labor the chief element might
possibly remain the same in the two countries
With regard to the shape of sewers it found that
fat bottomed spread the water increased the c
tion retarded the flow, and accumulated deposte.
1t also found that first draners generally fall into
the of having their pipes larger than necessarily
in the proportion Of 81 to The size Of the
pipes should be carefully adapted to the quantity of
they have discharge and exactitude in their form
and accuracy Of pointing highly desirable Their
functions should not be at right angles but in easy curves
Experiment has shown that it is not necessary to in
the size Of the main in consequence of the intro
ducon of side pipes to such extent had been sup
posed the supply from the side pipe gives in many
such increased velocity to the current in the mair
obvate the necessity of increased altogether
We have given above the main points discussed in thu
body of the report The appendix contains many matters
of practical detail which we compelled to omit fol
the present They refer to the quantities Of earthworl
required in drainage the quantities of rain that FL
tered through the SOIL the cold produced by evaporation
from wet SOILS the effects of drainage upon productive
ness the cost Of tiles pipes and labor per acre, and
finally the general sanitary effects Of draining. Wemay
recur to these particulars at future time. s.