Without stopping to make any inquiry concerning the nature and inclination of the \ ariolis strata which com pose the interior parts of the earth, and which serve to -direct or impede the passage of water accumulated, ur deposited within its bowels ; it will be sufficient to state, the most approved modes of carrying off that water in an artificial manner, and thus freeing the part affected the es ik resulting to the surface from these internal stores.
Wherever a burst of water appears in any particular spot, the sure and certain way of getting quit of such an evil is to dig hollow drains, to such a depth below the ,,urface as is required by the fall or level that can be gained, and by the quantity of water expected to pro ceed from the burst or spring. I laving ascertained the extent of water to be carried off, taken the necessary levels, and cleared a mouth, or leading passage for the water, begin the drain at the extremity next to that lead er, and go on with the work till the top of the spring is touched, which probably will accomplish the intended object. But if it should not be completely accomplish ed, run off from the main drain with such a number of branches, as may be required to intercept the water, and in this way, disappointment will hardly be experienced. Drains, to be substantially useful, should seldom be less than three feet in depth, 20 or 24 inches thereof to be close packed with stones or wood, according to circum stances. The former are the best materials, but in many places are not to be got in sufficient quantities ; re course therefore must often be made to the latter, though not so effectual or durable.
It is of vast importance to fill up drains as fast as they are dug out ; because, if left open for any length of time, the earth is not only apt to fall in, but the sides get into a broken irregular state, which cannot afterwards be completely rectified. It also deserves attention, that a proper covering of straw or sod should be put upon the top of the materials, to keep the surface earth from mix ing with them ; and where wood is the material used for filling up, a double degree of attention is necessary, otherwise the proposed improvement may be effectually frustrated.
The pit method of draining is a very effectual one, if executed w ith judgment. When it is sufficiently as
certained where the bed of water is deposited, which ( an easily he done by boring with an auger, sink a pit into the place, of a size which will allow a man freely to work within its bounds. Dig this pit of such a depth as to :each the bed of the water meant to lie carried off ; and when this depth is attained, which is easily dis cerned by the rising of the water, fill up the pit with big and curry off the water by a stout drain to some adjoining ditch or mouth, whence it may ]noted to the nearest river. We have tried this method re peatedly, and were never disappointed. Inured, if the proper spot is pitched upon tor putting down the pit, the object roust be attained ; because the water being there stopped or impeded by a close substratum, is im mediately set at liberty, when that substratum is pierced and cut through. But, without detailing any part of our own experience in such matters, which, of course, is of a limited nature, it may be more useful to give a general statement of the way in which drainage is executed, in the different districts of the island.
The following directions are given by T. B. Bayley, Esq. of Hope, near Manchester :—First make the main drains down the slope or fall of the field. When the land is very wet, on' has not much fall, there should in general be two of these to a statute acre; for the shorter the narrow drains are, the less liable they will be to accidents. The width of the trench for the main drains should be 30 inches at top, but the width at the bottom must be regulated by the nature and size of the materi als intended to be used. if the drain is to be made of bricks 10 inches long, 3 inches thick, and 4 inches in breadth, then the bottom of the drain must be 12 inches; but if the common sale bricks are used, then the bottom must be proportionably contracted. In both cases there must be an interstice of one inch between the bottom brick and the sides of the trench, and the vacuity must be filled up with straw, rushes, or loose mould. For the purpose of making these drains, the bricks should be moulded 10 inches long, 4 broad, and 3 thick ; which dimensions always make the best drain.