In order to remedy this evil, I would propose, after the bog has been drained and consolidated, to lay an artificial subsoil of clay, sand, and gravel, three, four, or more inches in thickness, at the depth of about eight inches under the surface, so as to cut off all connexion with the lower portion of the bog. By this means, all the pernicious moisture rising from below will undergo an important chemical change in its passage through the subsoil. The subsoil will also make the soil more firm, and whenever we see bog resting on a sufficiently earthy subsoil, we generally find it productive, unless the soil is very ferrugenous. The manure will have more effect. The soil will decompose more freely, especially if an inch or two of its surface has been burned, and it will ultimately be converted into a rich moory loam, fit for the cultivation of most crops, especially if it has had a due admixture of earthy matter, and certainly in the case of an artificial subsoil much less will suffice.

If, then, my views are correct, this would be a permanent improvement to bog, and on that account would amply repay any additional expense which would be incurred over ordinary methods, which, in fact, have been mostly found ineffectual. have little doubt that a fair trial would, in a few years, demonstrate its complete success, and thus, by-and-by we would see some millions of acres, of dreary, dull, worthless, waste bog, converted into rich smiling corn-fields and meadows, and the climate improved. I allude more particularly to Ireland. It is a remarkable fact, that wherever bogs occur, especially in this country, the elements for their improvement are at hand. We have here in our diluvial deposites the best of clay, gravel, and sand, for the purpose, being chiefly of a calcareous nature. On the verge of Lochar Moss, if my memory is correct, are deposited abundance of materials from the grey wacke and new red sandstone formation, admirably adapted for its improvement. As a means which this would afford of ameliorating the condition of the labouring classes of this naturally highly-favoured country, it is superfluous to speak.

In concluding this communication I would beg to say that hitherto, in my opinion, the importance of subsoil has not been duly considered, either by theoretical or practical agriculturists. We drain, to be sure; but that is almost all we do towards the

improvement of retentive clay subsoil. I am of opinion that simply loosening the subsoil either with a pick or a particular kind of plough, would be an advantage where there are no springs; and certainly mixing the clay with almost any kind of gravel or sand when too retentive, would be a greater advantage still, by absorbing the superabundant moisture, destroying its acidity, and in opening the soil itself. On the other hand, light gravels upon gravelly subsoils might not only be improved permanently by mixing clay with the soil, but also with the subsoil.

It is remarkable that such men as Sir H. Davy, when speaking of the composition and fertility of different soils, scarcely ever allude to the subsoil; but appear to think, that their " fertility depends upon the state of division and mixture of the earthy materials and the vegetable and animal matter." No doubt a good deal depends upon this, but a good deal will also depend upon the nature of the subsoil, and what may constitute a fertile soil upon one kind of subsoil may be the reverse upon another.

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When conversing with Mr Griffith, I mentioned this plan of improving bog to him, and I am happy in saying that he has some idea of trying it on the Crown lands of " Pobb O'Keefe," county of Cork, where he is making improvements for the Government. I visited that place in 1836, but there is very little red bog there. I am anxious it should be tried in Scotland.

THOUGHTS ON DRAINING AS A SOURCE OF NATIONAL WEALTH.

THERE will be little difficulty in shewing, that thorough draining might be made a source of wealth to the nation, after having proved that capital may be profitably invested in it by individuals, for individual is synonymous and simultaneous with national wealth. The statements of profits which we submitted in last number, both from a landlord and tenant, though highly encouraging to other landlords and tenants for imitation in similar situations, were derived from the improvement of very unpropitious soils. The estate of Cleland, we understand, lies in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, at a high elevation, and amidst

turn.

discouraging circumstances for improvement; and it is well known that the country to the southward of Tranent, where the farm of Wintonhill is situated, generally rests on a retentive clayey subsoil; and yet in both those unfavourable situations, thorough-draining has been, and is prosecuted to the entire satisfaction of landlord and tenant. It is very true, that it is in naturally the most discouraging circumstances for culture, that thorough-draining manifests its peculiar power of drying land in the most striking manner; but it does not follow a priori that it will in every case dry land, and yield a profitable reOn the contrary, the necessarily large expenditure required for thorough-draining greatly lessens its apparent probability of profit. Nevertheless it is pleasant to the feelings to contemplate agricultural improvement, whether it have repaid its cost or not, yet we may presume it is only the certain attainment of profit, the amount of which is best known to improvers themselves, that can stimulate to further prosecution of thorough-draining. When we, therefore, see field improvements successively prosecuted with energy, and for lengthened periods, we may reasonably conclude they are remunerative. We may, at all events, surely assert, that they have been, or eventually will be, remunerative. It is possible that the immediate improvers themselves may not be remunerated for their outlays if the improvements have been conducted on an extensive scale; but improved land will certainly return in produce an equivalent for the capital expended upon it. This result, though certain yet being prospective, may fail to operate as a direct encouragement to improvement, but it supports a well grounded hope. It is at least a bond of security to landlords for the ultimate solvency of their tenants; and possessing such a permanent and inalienable security, landlords should always be considerate, nay, indulgent to tenants who have expended capital in the permanent improvement of their land. This indulgence is manifested with the greatest kindness and received with most gratitude by the renewal of the lease.

It should, however, be held in remembrance, that field improvements are undertaken under various motives; for variety of motives of course actuate farmers in the management of their farms, as strongly as others are actuated in ordinary

business. All those motives are no doubt more or less tinged with selfishness, for perhaps no field improvements are prosecuted out of mere regard for the improvements themselves. When a proprietor improves he is desirous of either beautifying the natural deformities, or drawing forth the natural beautise of his property. When a farmer improves, the primary object he has in view is the support of himself and family. There are various ways of gratifying this motive. One farmer is desirous of accumulating wealth in youth or manhood, in order to enjoy ease and comfort in his declining years; and he conceives he attains his object most effectually by increasing the productive powers of the soil. Another finding domestic expenditure to exceed the income derived from the farm in its current condition, stimulates the soil to increased productiveness as the only means within his power of releasing himself from domestic embarrassments. A third, ambitious of acquiring the fame of eminence in agriculture, perceives that superior excellence in the management of soil and stock is the surest way of attaining his high object. Whilst a fourth undertakes, at a tempting rent, the management of a farm put into great disorder by the negligence and ignorance of his predecessors, and hopes to realize a fair competency by good farming. Whatever be the motives that actuate farmers to improvements, identically the same results are produced in the increased productiveness of the soil; but those motives must be imperative, or farmers would never suffer themselves, their labourers, and horses to undergo, for a length of time, the numerous inconveniences necessarily attendant on all field improvements. The collecting of stones and depositing them into the drainsthe filling in of the drains, and smoothing again the surface of the field-the driving of large quantities of lime and manure from a long distance-all these extraordinary operations, prolonged perhaps over years, and imposed on the ordinary working strength of the farm over and above their ordinary labours -form daily harassments, the irksomeness of which could only be supported by the hope of recompense in pecuniary emolument, or elevation of character, or they would not willingly be endured by men of easy temperaments and limited capi

tal.

Let us consider what is the recompense for which farmers toil their bodies, task their minds, and expend their capital. Good culture has much enhanced the productiveness of the soil since the general war. Since that period we may safely aver, that barley in this country has increased in produce 12 bushels per acre. The produce now is as commonly 54 bushels per acre, as it was in the war 42 bushels. This is equivalent to an increase of about 28 per cent. Other species of grain, as wheat and oats, have perhaps increased in produce in as great a proportion. The general reduction of rent in this country is admitted to be about 25 per cent. since the war; and as rent presupposes not only the possession of the crop, but the expense incurred in raising it, we must add the reduction in rent to the increase of produce, which conjoined confer on the farmer at present an apparent advantage of 53 per cent. over what he enjoyed during the war. But, on the other hand, the fall in the prices of corn has nearly counteracted these advantages of fall of rent and increase of produce. The average annual price of wheat from 1800 to the end of the war in 1815, a period of sixteen years, was 112/9 per Winchester quarter; but from 1816 to 1836 inclusive, the average annual price was only 65/6, indicating the annual average fall in the price of wheat to be about 47 per cent. Deduct the disadvantage of 47 per cent. of fall in the price of wheat, from the advantages of 53 per cent. of fall in rent, and the increase of produce combined, and only 6 per cent. remain to the farmer for repaying him the risk of capital incurred in his profession. Farming is thus not a lucrative profession. A mere immunity from loss is we believe the most favourable estimate that should be exhibited of the present condition of the Scottish farmer. So that had it not been for his own exertions in improving the fertility of the soil, his present position could not possibly have been maintained from reduction of rent alone.

But, ere his position attained its present tolerable condition, he passed through a fiery ordeal. The war left him with ample capital, but the war prices also left him with cruel abruptness. After the high prices of wheat in 1816 and 1817 had subsided, and which were solely maintained at an adventitious height by the very bad crops of those years, and bad crops it is well known are of no advantage to the farmer, the