IMPROVEMENT OF MUCK SWAMPS. 



165 



By application of this method a second cross-bar can be set at a turn of 

 the ditch or as far as can be seeU;, and from there a second, a third, and so on. 



When the principal bars are set, intermediate ones should be set by light- 

 ing once in three rods or thereabouts. Now from bar to bar a string can be 

 stretched tight and this will be parallel to the bottom of the required ditch. 



CONSTRUCTIOX OF THE DRAIN. 



After you find out that you have a fall, the next important consideration 

 is to arrange so as to preserve the results of that survey and construct your 

 drain so as to utilize the fall you have. The best means of doing this is to 

 mark a line parallel to the bottom of your ditch and high enough above the 

 ground to be out of the way of the ditchers. If your ditch is to be four feet 

 deep, three above the ground or seven feet above the bottom of the ditch 

 will be sufficient. Measure down a constant amount at each place to secure 

 the correct depth of your ditch. In work with peat the last spading ought 

 not to go within two or three inches of the bottom; a push and pull scoop 

 can be used to finish to grade without danger of making deep holes in the 

 bottom. 



The eonstruction of drains in peat must be done with much 'more care 

 than on bard land. In the first place, peat is a peculiar substance ; it is very 



