94 



TRANSACTIONS OF THE ILLINOIS 



escaped the effects of the drought much the best. On a northern 

 slope, plants came on earlier and stood moisture and drought better 

 than on an undrained southern slope. 



Pierson — I have drained about 14 acres. I found the books did 

 not give all the information needed. For instance, can you depend 

 on the tiles to carry off all the water ? The books dont say. I 

 knew that when the ground was frozen, the water could not run off. 

 I wanted to put in fruit which could not endure water on the surface. 

 So I found it necessary to provide for a winter outlet by shallow sur- 

 face drainage. In summer, water soon disappears. Over the tiles 

 we must have deep culture and thorough surface culture, to get the 

 best advantage from them. I have several acres that will absorb 2 

 or 3 inches of water in 24 hours. I think that even steep slopes 

 may need to provide for heavy rains. 



Perrine, (of Centralia) — I laid 3000 rods of tile in Indiana, and 

 have put in about 200 rods where I am. I prefer to ditch when the 

 water is running, and level in that way. Draining is almost an en- 

 tire preventive against Avashing. I never have made surface drains. 



Colman — It is impossible for 3 inch tiles to carry off rain every 

 time. Thos. H. Collins, near New Albany, Indiana, had a drained 

 farm on the river bottom. After severe rains the water would stand 

 upon the surface. It takes some time for tiles to work well. Mr. 

 Henderson of Bridgeton, St. Louis Co., Mo., used a mole drain 

 plough 8 years ago. The drains are still working well. 



Galusha — Very little descent will answer in draining. A good 

 level I have found to be a large triangle about equilateral, the sides 

 about 10 feet long with a plumb line hung from one angle. I made 

 about 2200 rods of mole drain 6 years ago, which is working well 

 yet. The efficiency of a mole drain depends on the subsoil. Clay 

 with much sand in it would not answer. 



Wilgus — Mole drains have not generally succeeded or they 

 would be more extended. They do mischief by washing out and cav- 

 ing in. The hardpan along the Ohio and Mississippi railway cannot 

 be penetrated by a mole drain. 



