No. 112.] 211 



After the ditch is dug, I take a hoe and begin at the upper end 

 of it and clean out all loose dirt, and commence laying the stone or 

 tile ; it the latter is used, I lay one and then stand on it, and then put 

 put another as close tc the fi^^t as possible, and then step on that and 

 if it is firm, proceed in like manner to the last ; if any inequality is 

 in the bottom, it is removed till the tile will lie. firm and level ; if 

 the bottom is too soft, as is sumetimes the case, fiat stones are laid 

 in under the tile till tliey will fit firmly in their places; a row of 



• 



stones are then placed along the sides, care being taken to have 

 them fit close at the joints of the tiles to keep them in place; a 

 few strips of cedar bark are then laid on the top of the tile, and 

 the whole covered with a team and plow, by turning the fur- 

 rows towards the ditch, as in the common method of backfurroW- 

 ing, until it is completed. 



If stones are used In filling the ditch, my method ol 

 cleaning out is the same as for tile. I then commence 

 as in the case of tile, at the upper end, and fit a flat 

 stone close at the side of the ditch, then another side of 

 the first, and then along the side of the upright ones thus 

 placed at the side of the ditch, we set about two rows 

 in the form of an A , as is shown in the annexed diagram ; 

 and the row of flat stones is continued at the side, and the other 

 in the manner shown, to the end of the ditch ; small round stones 

 are placed on the top of the flat ones, and all covered in like 

 manner as where tile is used which completes the operation. 



I i)Ut about 15 or 18 inches of stones where they are used in 

 depth in the <iitch, calculating to have 2 feet of earth on the top 

 of the stones, in all cases where the required depth can be had 

 for a good outlet. 



I hire my help by the month, and tlie expense is 35 cents per 

 'rod fur tile, and 30 cents for &t(»ne, as near as may le calculated 

 with whole numbers ; and the soil and sul)soil through which I 

 have to dig, some cases occur where the expense will be a little 

 more, and some a little less, but this is a fair estimate for the 

 u'ork^lone by me the past year. 



Number of rods made the past year, 330. 1 have about 2 milefl 

 of drains on .ay farm arni they (Operate finely. I walked over a 



