Stall-feeding is general, both for fatting cattle and for milch cows; but the latter are always turned out to pasture a portion of every day. Under-draining with tiles, in what is called the Essex mode (that is, putting drains in every furrow, or in parallel lines from 12 to 20 ft. apart, in order to carry off the water from soils having retentive sub-strata), has been introduced, and most extensively employed, by the Duke of Portland, on his large estate, reaching from the sea-shore, at his harbour of Troon, to and beyond Kilmarnock. The same principle of draining has been practised by Mr. Buchanan at Catrine: but the drains there, instead of being laid with tiles, are filled with small stones within a foot of the surface; in our opinion, a much more effective and more durable mode. Mr. Buchanan has also turf-drained moss, or peat bog. The covering turf, or surface spit of the bog, is dried in the sun during one summer, previously to using it, till it has become charred, and insoluble in water; and this turf being broader than the bottom of the drain (Ency. of Agr., 2d edit. fig. 651. p. 709.), is rammed into it, so as to form an arch. These drains are cheap, require no carting on the moss, are effectual for the end in view, and are found to last for a long time.
