DRAINACI: IWl-.STiraTIOXS. 



I'.y ('. (J. Elliott. 

 Eiujhicrr in Clninjr of Ihdinaijc Investif/ationft. 



The work in drainage engaging the attention of this Office is related 

 directly to agricidture and has to do with investigations of both 

 practical and scientific character pertaining to the drainage of fertile 

 lands which are now unused because of their swampy or saturated 

 conditions, the improvement of lands alreadj^ under cultivation but 

 which fail to produce crops of maximum quantity and quality because 

 of adverse moisture conditions, and all other improvement of land 

 which will result from the adequate control of water on the surface 

 and in the soil. 



The studies and experiments included in these investigations may 

 be classified as follows : 



(1) Work connected with improving small natural streams and 

 providing sufficient and adequate artificial outlets for the drainage 

 of large areas of fertile land hitherto deficient in natural drainage 

 which is projected and executed under the provisions of State drain- 

 age laws. 



(2) The protection of overflowed lands bordering alluvial streams, 

 and (heir interior drainage after protection works have been con- 

 structed. 



(8) The solution of problems connected with the underdrainage 

 of soils of widely dili'erent character and subject to diverse climatic 

 conditions. 



(4) The protection and subsequent management of tidal lands, 

 which when thus improved may be valual)le for agriculture. 



(5) The drainage of lands in the arid region which under irrijga- 

 tion have become saturated and in consequence unproductive, and the 

 ])r('vention and removal of alkali occasioned by such saturation. 



There are only certain phases of these problems Avhich may l)e 

 properly considered by the Office. Drainage works have been con- 

 structed and land has l)een rechiimed and improved under a great 

 variety of conditions and by numerous methods in various parts of 

 the country, so that the value of such im))rovements considered as a 

 general proposition is recognized. Only those features of the work 

 which are perplexing, by reason of peculiar conditions and surround- 

 ings or the inability <>f landowners to successfully i»l:ui and carry 



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