ion is observable in the different
replies, which were made, independently in writing, and so are more
valuable.

_Mr. Smith._--"During dry periods, more particularly in Summer, the
water in the streams is greatly lessened by thorough-draining; for
there is so great a mass of comparatively dry and absorbent soil to
receive the rain, that Summer showers, unless very heavy and
continuous, will be entirely absorbed."

_Mr. Parkes._--"The intention and effect of a complete and
systematic under-drainage is the liberation of the water of rain
more quickly from the land than if it were not drained; and
therefore the natural vents, or rivers, very generally require
enlargement or deepening, in order to pass off the drainage water
in sufficiently quick time, and so as to avoid flooding lower
lands.

"The sluggish rivers of the midland and southern counties of
England especially, oppose great obstacles to land-drainage, being
usually full to the banks, or nearly so, and converted into a
series of ponds, by mill-dams erected at a few miles distance below
each other; so that, frequently, no effectual drainage of the
richest alluvial soil composing the meadows, can be made, without
forming embankments, or by pumping, or by resort to other
artificial and expensive means.

"The greater number of the corn and other water-mills throughout
England ought to be demolished, for the advantage of agriculture,
and steam-power should to be provided for the millers. I believe
that such an arrangement would, in most cases, prove to be
economical both to the landholder and the miller.

"Every old authority, and all modern writers on land drainage in
England, have condemned water-mills and mill-dams: and if all the
rivers of England were surveyed from the sea to their source, the
mills upon them valued, the extent of land injured or benefitted by
such mill-dams ascertained, and the whole question of advantage or
injury done to the land-owner appreciated and appraised, I have
little doubt but that the injury done, would be found so greatly to
exceed the rental of the mills, deduction being made of the cost of
maintaining them, that it would be a measure of national economy,
to buy up the mills, and give the millers steam-power."

_Mr. Spooner._--"The effect which ex