THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. No. 4.-VOL. II.] APRIL, 1839. [NEW SERIES. THE PLATE. The Ox, the subject of our first plate, was the property of John Buckley, Esq., of Normanton Hill, near Loughborough, was exhibited by him at the late Smithfield Show, and obtained a prize. He was got by Mr. Price's "Wizard," d. by "Young Woodman," g. d. " Nell," out of a Cow, bred by the late Mr. Benjamin Tomkins, of Wellington Court, Shropshire. THE MARQUIS OF TWEEDALE'S MACHINE FOR MAKING DRAINTILES. It was our intention to have given in this number an article descriptive of the mode of laying draining tiles, with a detailed statement of the expense, and some practical instances of the increased produce obtained from lands so drained; but we have unfortunately been disappointed in the receipt of engravings, without which the article would not be complete: we must therefore claim the indulgence of our subscribers for postponing the publication to our next number. MR. HANDLEY'S DRAINAGE BILL. Fully satisfied that the soil of the United Kingdom, if properly managed, would, to speak within compass, provide food for a body of people exceeding in numbers the present population by onehalf, we always hail, with infinite satisfaction, any measure or proposition which has for its object, an end so desirable as that of increasing the amount of our agricultural produce. The two great means by which that important object can be best promoted, as it seems to us, are, improved management of the old lands, both as regards stock and cultivation, and the bringing into cultivation lands, OLD SERIES.] which, from a variety of causes, have never yet been brought under the plough. As regards improved management of the old lands such attention is now given to the adoption of a better rotation of cropping, thorough draining, subsoil ploughing, the selection of a better breed of animals, of better sorts of seeds and roots, of improved implements, &c., &c., that a great increase must take place in the acreable produce of those lands. In respect to the bringing into cultivation lands hitherto waste, it may be presumed that such lands are of two kinds, light lands, weak in staple, and which have been in many cases very erroneously considered to pay better as sheep-walks, and lands of good quality, but not accessible to the plough nor scarcely to the hoofs of cattle, in consequence of an excess of moisture. Instances are not wanting where tracts of land of the latter kind contain the essence of the manure of the neighbouring high lands, washed down for ages from the hills into the valley below. The first step towards the cultivation of such land is draining. To enable the owners of land so situated to carry off the superfluous water, it is not sufficient that drains be cut in the land itself, but in order to obtain a proper outlet it becomes necessary to cut through lands belonging to other persons. This step cannot be taken without the authority of an Act of Parliament, the obtaining of which would swallow up a sum which would go far towards making the required drainage. It is quite true that many cases may be pointed out where, notwithstanding such expence, the result has been highly satisfactory. We [No. 4.-VOL. X. S might instance the quondam fens in Cambridgeshire, in Lincolnshire, the moors in Somersetshire, and in many other parts of the kingdom. The thousands of enclosures of wastes, which have been made during the last fifty years, have been effected under circumstances similarly disadvantageous. That, however, is no argument for the continuation of a serious impediment to cultivation. We may here be permitted to observe, that one of the greatest improvements in modern legislation is that of passing general bills, under the powers of which the inhabitants of any locality may carry out a contemplated measure of improvement without being compelled to run the risk of incurring charges in seeking to obtain an act of Parliament for effecting a useful object, and which may be defeated by the activity of some interested individual mustering a few friends to oppose a second reading of the bill. The general bill for facilitating the enclosure of common field lands is one of the best measures which has received the sanction of the legislature, but the bill "for facilitating the drainage of lands in England and Wales", which we noticed in our paper of the 11th Feb., and which Mr. Handley obtained leave of the House of Commons on Monday last, to bring in, is one which will, in our opinion, effect an amount of improvement in the productive powers of a very large proportion of the land of this country, which we will not venture to state lest we should be set down as Visionary. The benefits derived from the cutting main drains for carrying off the surplus water from particular tracts of land, will not be confined to the proprietors of those tracts; they will be grand channels through which the water on the adjoining lands may be more readily carried off, and will induce the owners of old lands to effect an improvement by draining, which, without that assistance might have been imperfect. The mode of proceeding to effect a drainage as proposed by this bill, is similar to that in the Common Fields Enclosure Act, the consent of the owners of two-thirds of the lands to be drained being required before any steps can be taken. Provisions are introduced to protect the interests of all parties, and the greatest precautions taken to guard against the abuses which have sometimes been perpetrated under the authority of private bills for the like purposes. We see no reason to doubt that this bill will, under the auspices of Mr. Handley, receive the sanction of the legislature in the present session, in which case the honourable Member will not only have given another instance of his zeal and attention to the interest of agriculture, but will have set an excellent example to every practial farmer in the kingdom by shewing that if he seeks protection for homegrown produce, he is prepared to adopt energetic measures for increasing the supply in proportion to the demand.-Mark Lane Express. EPITOME OF A BILL FOR FACILITATING THE DRAINAGE OF LANDS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. PREAMBLE-Recites that there are many lands which are subject to be overflowed with water, and that it would be advantageous to the pro prietors, if they were enabled by a general law to drain the same. ENACTS, 1 That certain words in the act shall be interpreted as therein mentioned. 2 After a map or plan of lands liable to be flooded, shall have been approved as aftermentioned, the owners of two-third parts in quantity of land included in such map, may effect a drainage, 3 Tenants in fee-simple, fee-tail, for life or lives, or for any other estate of freehold, or for years determinable on lives, or for any term whereof 100 years shall be unexpired, and also copyholders shall be deemed proprietors, for the purposes of this act. 4 Where such proprietors labour under any disability, the guardians, husband, and committees shall be deemed competent to act as proprietors. 5 Proprietors of two-thirds, to testify their consent to drainage by signing an agreement in writing. 6 Meeting of proprietors to be called previously to such drainage. 7 Consent of a tenant in remainder necessary in certain cases. 8 Consent of archbishop, or bishop and patron, necessary where any lands belong to, or are held in right of any bencfice. 9 Benefice in the gift of the crown, and above the value of 20l. a year in the King books, the consent of the Lord High Treasurer or the First Commissioners of the Treasury to be obtained. Where under 201. a year, the consent of the 10 11 Lord Chancellor to be obtained. Where any proprietor is desirous of draining, he may cause a map to be made and deposited for inspection with the clerk of the peace, and a book of reference to accompany the same, containing names of owners, and description of lands proposed to be drained. The clerk of the peace is to permit any person to inspect the same, and make extracts on payment of ls. For making any map or plan, as last aforesaid, any surveyor or surveyors may enter lands without interruption. 12 Notice of depositing map and book of reference, to be given in some newspaper, usually circulating in the county wherein the lands to be drained are situated, for three successive weeks, and where lands extend into more counties than one, there shall be deposits and advertisements in each. 13 After map and book of reference have been deposited, and notice given, proprietors of not less than one-fourth of lands included in the map, may call a meeting to take the drainage into consideration, by notice to be affixed days before such meeting on the outer door of the churches, or in some public place in the parish or parishes and by an advertisement, to be inserted twice, in some newspaper usually circulating in the county where the lands lie. 14 Majority of proprietors present, to elect a chairman who shall proceed to ascertain the quantity of lands, with power to adjourn in case the parties present do not possess two. thirds. 15 Proprietors of two-thirds who shall have consented, (and after such meeting as aforesaid shall have been held) to appoint a commissioner or commissioners for effecting drainage. 16 In case of death, refusal to act, or incapability |