farms and fields, and thorough drainage, being a continuation of similar works executed on his estate in the years 1848 and 1849.

Major Scott's agent informed him, that every tenant whose farm had been improved under former loans, though charged interest on the expenditure, was satisfied and grateful for the benefit conferred; and it is pleasing to contrast the crops produced on the improved farms, with those the drainage of which has not yet been undertaken. During the last two years much regret has been expressed, on account of the difficulty of obtaining a sufficient number of labourers to execute extensive works; and, in consequence, several of that character have not been commenced; but if public notice were given that extensive works were to be executed, and at an increase of from 25 to 30 per cent. on the wages of former times, the number of men required could be obtained. In proof of the correctness of this opinion it may be stated that extensive works have been executed in the count Down on the estate of the Marquis of Londonderry; Captain Tenison's, in the county Antrim; Lord Massereene's estate, in the county Louth; Mr. Smith Barry's estate, in the county Meath, and many others situated in the midland and southern counties, not necessary to specify ;in all which cases, works have been both expeditiously and satisfactorily executed; and, as a general rule, it may be stated, that where works are carried on vigorously, they are usually well and cheaply executed, while those carried on at intervals, during several years, are rarely perfect, and always costly. So, during the past year, it was difficult to procure a sufficient quantity of draining tiles; caused partly from the inclemency of the season, and partly from the increased demand. In regard to the latter, the following return of sales between April, 1861, and April, 1862, was obtained from one of the tileries at Coal Island, in the county Tyrone (Shane's). The answer was as follows, for the twelvemonth:-1,551,200 14-inch tiles, 102,060 2-inch tiles, 188,380 3-inch tiles, 8600 4-inch tiles, 4060 6-inch tiles; total, 1,854,300 pipe tiles; and yet the supply was not equal to the demand; and similar statements might be made from almost every tilery in Ireland.

The erection of labourers' dwellings of a superior description, though not expensive, has been commenced in different localities, especially on the estates of the Marquis of Londonderry and Colonel Forde, both in the county Down. In regard to the vexed question between deep and shallow draining, it may be desirable to advert to the relative merits of the tw systems, as tried by Mr. Andrews, agent to the Marquis of Londonderry, in the county of Down, were thorough drainage is being executed on a large scale. Mr. Andrews, an extensive practical farmer of great experience, being of opinion that shallow drains, three feet deep and twenty-one feet apart are the best, while Mr. Irwin advocates drains of from four feet to four feet six inches in depth, where sufficient outfall can be obtained, and placed at intervals suitable to the nature of the soil, say, from thirty to fifty, or even sixty feet apart.

The greater part of the drainage has been effected on the shallow principle, the drains being three feet deep, and twenty-one feet apart; but one large field has been drained at four feet deep, and thirty feet apart; and in reply to an application to make a trial of the effect of the two systems after heavy rain, the following reply, dated Comber, April 29th, 1862, has been received:

"I deferred replying to your letter till I should be enabled to make

an examination of the ground which would render my report satisfactory.

"The heavy rains prevented that examination, and we waited till to-day, when a few dry days have given time for the action of the drains in drying the soil.

"The ground was opened midway between the drains, both of four feet deep, at thirty feet apart, and at three feet deep, twenty-one feet apart.

"The result was, that in the ground drained at twenty-one feet apart by three feet drains, we found that it was quite dry to the depth of thirty-four inches; and in that drained at thirty feet by four feet drains, at the depth of thirty-one inches it became wet, showing that the drains had not acted so speedily at the wide as the narrower space. Still, it was very satisfactory to find that, after a brief interval of dry weather, the soil in both cases was sufficiently dried for any practical purpose. We certainly perceived, from the first, that the ground became sooner dry and firm to the foot, on walking over it, in the large portion drained at the narrower distances; but all the drainage is efficient and satisfactory; and we have been enabled to execute all field labour, including the sowing of the seeds, much earlier than was practicable on the undrained lands in the vicinity; and we have had superior crops, both white and green, on the whole."

It appears from the foregoing, that there was an apparent superiority in the three feet drains; but it is reasonable to suppose, that had the trial been delayed for a few days longer, the four feet drains would have been found acting to their full depth, that is, forty-five inches deep, midway between the minor drains, thereby reducing the water-table eleven inches deeper below the level of the surface than the drains three feet deep could do. This additional depth must be considered of great value in agricultural operations. The temperature of the land being raised thereby, and the rain and air permeating the soil, rendering it more fit to support vegetable life.

In the county Kildare, Mr. William Bellingham has drained some land at depths from five to six feet, and at intervals varying from eighty to one hundred feet apart, cutting into the rock (calp). The works have been perfectly successful, and the improvement much greater than on adjoining land drained four feet deep and forty feet apart. The greater superiority of one over the other can only be attributed to the raising of temperature by the deeper system, as the lands were similar in every respect, and both drainages were executed with equal care under Mr. Bellingham's own immediate inspection.

Mr. William P. Prendergast, inspector of drainage for the district comprising the counties of Fermanagh, Cavan and Leitrim, with portions of the adjoining counties of Tyrone, Sligo, &c., reports that " in these counties there has been more exertion made during the year 1861 than in the preceding year in thorough drainage and general land improvement, both from private resources and by aid of loans obtained through the Office of Public Works; and the fund at the disposal of the board has been found as valuable an auxiliary in a bad season, both to landowners, tenant-farmers, and labourers, as when first provided by the Legislature."

The principal loans reported on in this district during the last year are for the estates of the Marquis of Ely, Lord Belmore, Mr. Edward Archdall, Captain Mervyn Archdall, M.P., Mr. Paul Dane, Sir Emerson Tennent, in the county of Fermanagh; Colonel Whyte, Mr. F. Cullen, Mr. Fitz

patrick, Mr. Jones, in the county Leitrim; Mr. G. P. M'Clintock and Lord Belmore, in Tyrone; the Marquis of Headfort, Sir John Young, Mr. Roberts, in the county Cavan.

It is so far a satisfactory evidence of the successful working of the Acts, that the system of thorough drainage approved by the Board of Works, and, in fact, in great part first introduced by their inspectors, has been followed very generally by those who work from private resources in the neighbourhood of estates improved by loans; and also, that landowners who had loans under the acts several years ago express their approval, having sufficient experience of the successful result of the works executed, as Mr. Prendergast further proceeds to state :

"Having continued in uninterrupted personal intercourse with the greater number of resident gentlemen in all these counties since the year 1847, he has had several opportunities of observing the improvement of their estates, and of hearing the remarks and suggestions of the most practical and experienced land owners, agents, and agriculturists; and as many have within the last few years obtained further loans in consequence of their first expenditure having proved satisfactory, he is in the habit of ascertaining from them whether they wish for any changes in plans and specifications, or estimates, and in what way they think the Acts can be rendered most useful and convenient to them.

"The only material difference made of late years is in lessening the distance between the minor parallel drains in strong retentive clays from forty feet (which was frequently adopted at the time Mr. Parkes was draining the Phoenix Park, and various estates in England) to about thirty feet, still retaining the depth of four feet as a general rule, but continuing in all other details the same system, at a cost of about 4l. 10s. per statute acre, or 5l., including levelling, stubbing, &c.

"Land owners and agents also express themselves as quite satisfied with the facilities afforded them at the office of Public Works, and say that they have no complaint to make of the forms and rules adopted in the administration of the Acts, or of any undue technicalities being put in their way, or causing them trouble. A wish has been expressed in some quarters that the building of lime-kilns for agricultural purposes should be among the items allowed, and Mr. Wynne, of Hazlewood, and others, now wish that loans for farm offices should be admitted for farms of 50l. a year annual value, and that one owner should not be limited to 5000l. as a maximum, but with the exception of a few such additions suggested by gentlemen who devote their time to the careful improvement of their estates, and a very general desire on the part of the owners of large properties, that an Act should be passed to facilitate the cutting of general main outlets through two or more estates, no changes have been sought for, and the progress made in the knowledge of drainage and general agricultural improvement by resident proprietors becomes each year more remarkable; and although on small farms, where no resident landlord or active agent encourages or induces the ordinary tenants to improve, there may be no great apparent change, yet each year the number of examples of judicious enterprise becomes greater, and these act as centres of improvement whence knowledge spreads; and a very active energetic clergyman, lately come to the well-known parish of Cloone, in the county of Leitrim, pointed out to me several small beginnings of drainage among the neighbouring farmers, since they have observed the results of his work under the Land Improve

ment Act. He said that no teaching or description had any effect on them, but one year's example of the improvement caused by a drainage before their own eyes, convinced them and induced a beginning, at least of such work among them, which it is hoped may be continued. Of course it is the drainage followed up by proper manuring and cultivation that tells, and not mere drainage of cold clay lands without further exertion; although, at first, many seemed to effect great results from drainage alone, and have only of late years understood the subject better."

Among the remarkable changes and proofs of advance in agricultural matters of late years, Mr. Prendergast alludes to the increased supply of expensive machinery and implements among tenant farmers, and the demand for draining tiles. "Some years ago a gentleman of property in the northwest, inquired how it was possible that pipes could serve for drains, because he did not understand how the water was to get into them; the specifications were attended to, and he was not convinced of the effect until a drain was laid, and the water seen coming out, which disposed of the objection. But, for some years, very few proprietors would use tiles, while at present the numerous tileries in the north-west are unable to supply the demand, and in Fermanagh there is a constant complaint that drainage works are impeded by the want of a sufficient supply at Lord Enniskillen's tilery at Florence Court, and yet his manager states that 805,600 pipe tiles and collars were sold in the year 1861; and it appears that Mr. Francis La Touche's tilery, recently completed on the banks of the Shannon at Leitrim, is unable to supply the demand. With regard to the increased number of agricultural machines and implements now used in Ireland, it may be stated as an instance, that on Lord Belmore's estate, in the county of Fermanagh, for which loans to the full amount of 5000l. have been obtained, the following implements have been imported for the use of tenants:-1 steam-engine (for threshing out, bruising, chaff-cutting, &c.), 2 threshing machines with fans attached, 7 threshing machines, 49 common ploughs, 8 double-mould board. ploughs, 2 turnreist (or one way) ploughs, 20 field grubbers (3-horse), 7 drill grubbers, 7 turnip sowers (double and single drill), 3 iron harrows (angle), 7 churning machines, 2 cast-iron field rollers, 2 straw cutters, 1 oat bruiser, 2 double-blast fanners, 1 combined reaping and mowing machine, 1 hay-tosser, 1 hay-rake (horse), and 1 hay-rake. Within the same time have been built:-45 new dwelling-houses (slated), 25 new sets of farmoffices (slated), 5 sets farm-offices (raised and slated), and 6 new labourer's cottages, built and slated.

"And during the same year, 250 acres of bog have been reclaimed; 1000 acres of land thorough drained; new fences and new farm-roads completed in connection with the drained and improved land."

Mr. Prendergast's report concludes by referring to a letter received from Colonel Whyte, who has worked under loans from the board since 1848, and has just expended his last instalment. Being a constant resident in the country, his experience is practical, and his opinion is, in consequence, worth recording.

"Newtown Manor, County Leitrim, March 26, 1862. "With reference to your letter requesting information as to work done lately on this estate, I beg to say, that the whole of the loan of 5000l. has been expended, and the work is ready for inspection.

"I have reason to believe that there is still a considerable portion of the money originally allotted for the purpose of land improvement unappropriated,

and I think much good would accrue to the country, if such land-owners as may be able to show sufficient security were allowed to exceed the 50007 to which they are at present restricted. For my own part such benefit has arisen to my estate, both pecuniarily and morally, from the money I have laid out in drainage and other improvements during the last ten years, that I would gladly, if permitted, take 2000l. more for the same purposes. In the event of such a grant taking place, I beg to suggest that it would be considerably to the advantage of those using it, were they permitted to employ a portion of it in the erection of lime-kilns.

"Signed

J. J. WHYTE, Colonel." Midland and Eastern District.-In this district the sum of 17,170l. has been issued in the following proportions:-Cavan, 500l.; Monaghan, 180l.; Longford, 2007.; Louth, 660l.; Meath, 3820l.; Westmeath, 240l.; Dublin, 6857.; Kildare, 985l.; King's, 360l.; Queen's, 3010l.; Wicklow, 2004; Carlow, 1010.; Kilkenny, 33801.; and Wexford, 1940l. Mr. Henry Newton, Inspector of Drainage for the county of Wexford, reports that, "during the past year, he made a final inspection of the drainage and other works of improvement executed on the property of Harry Alcock, Esq., and also on that of Viscount Monck, in the Barony of Bantry. The works were in every case well executed, and a quantity of waste land converted into good tillage, meadow, and pasture. Mr. Francis Bruen, in the Barony of Bargy, has, under a loan, fenced and partially drained a quantity of land embanked from the sea, with the greatest possible effect-so much so, that a large part of this hitherto unproductive land has been let to respectable tenants at 40s. per acre. The Messrs. Purdon have, working under a loan, subsoiled and cleared of roots a large part of Killoughrim Forest, in the barony of Bantry. This land has produced much better corn and green crops than could have been anticipated. In the barony of Forth, Mr. Howlan Graves has obtained a small loan, to subsoil and clear of stones some waste land, on ground of a similar quality, treated in like manner. And in the barony of Scarawalsh, Mr. W. J. Wallace is erecting a set of farm offices for an improving Scotch tenant; and works similar to those executed under the Land Improvement Act are being carried out by both landlords and tenants from their own resources in many parts of the country."

Western District. In this district, comprehending the province of Connaught, with the county of Clare, the sum of 64907. has been issued as follows:-Sligo, 440l.; Leitrim, 1130l.; Mayo, 740l.; Roscommon, 17904; Galway, 23904; and Clare, 100l. Mr. Richard Irwin, Inspector of Drainage for the north-western districts, reports that, " during the whole of the year 1861, the weather was, with the exception of a few short and distant intervals, exceedingly unfavourable for every description of rural work-so much so, that it was not without much difficulty and many disappointments, that the ordinary farm works of spring and harvest were carried out in this district; and even where the greatest attention was bestowed, much of the work was imperfectly and unsuccessfully performed, although the farmers, with few exceptions, exerted themselves in the most laudable manner, and, during the few weeks of comparatively fine weather, secured the services of every available labourer at much more than double any previous rate of wages. From the causes above stated, works in progress under the Land Improvement Acts were almost exclusively executed during wet, broken weather; and, as often occurs in such cases, differences of opinion between the employers and the employed are