This section is from the book "The Gardener's Monthly And Horticulturist V22", by Thomas Meehan. See also: Four-Season Harvest: Organic Vegetables from Your Home Garden All Year Long.
England may in some senses thank herself for the ruin of her late crops. She has for many years drained her land to such an extent that all the rain-falls flow immediately into drains, not stopping long enough to penetrate the earth. The result is a quick filling of her little rivers and water courses; these overflow their banks immediately; hay is set afloat and ruined; grain is damaged either when cut or in the ground; sheep are drowned, and not infrequently cattle. Drainage in certain cases is very valuable; but the English in their over zeal have carried it too far, and are now obliged to ask food of their once despised cousins.
 
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