A Treatise on the Practical Drainage of Land

First published in 1844, Hutchinson's treatise serves as a practical guide to the many methods of land drainage in England.

Henry Hutchinson (Author)

9781108026642, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 May 2011

230 pages, 5 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 1.3 cm, 0.3 kg

Written in 1844 by Henry Hutchinson, this book, as the title suggests, focuses on the practical aspects of land drainage, advising readers to first consider the plan, cost, and mode of draining carefully. The treatise begins with a general address to the public which offers advice to landlords for dealing with tenant farmers, information on valuing land for fair rent, and ways of improving substandard soil. Lamenting that 'a great deal has been written by parties who really know nothing of the practical working of a system', Hutchinson, a land agent, valuer and 'professor of draining', writes from a zealous desire to educate the public correctly on the art of land drainage. Hutchinson's approach is scrupulously thorough, with separate chapters on shallow draining, deep draining, bastard draining, boring, and impediments to draining, as well as the history of land drainage in England.

Address to the public
Introductory remarks
Origin of drainage
Shallow draining
Deep draining
Bastard draining
Impediments to draining
Boring
Labour
Draining tiles
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: History of engineering & technology [TBX]