Tile Deainage. 97 



in fields of this kind, and the cost will be very small when com- 

 pared with the benefits derived from them. 



The benefits to be derived from the drainage depend largely on 

 the location, the value of the land, and what crop the land is used 

 for. As no two fields present the same condition, except level 

 marshes, one must rely upon his own judgment, according to the 

 condition and location of the land. 



How to Tile Drain. 



m 



First ascertain how much fall there is in the land to be tiled, 

 from the upper end to the outlet. If there is a gradual fall from 

 source to outlet, no survey is necessary, but if the land is nearly 

 level, or if there are any depressions or basins, so that it is hard 

 to determine the amount of fall, obtain the services of a compet- 

 ent engineer to determine the fall from the upper end of the out- 

 let. The fall should be divided up by setting stakes every hun- 

 dred feet and drawing a level line from these stakes. The stakes 

 should be driven close to one side of where the ditch is to be dug. 

 The fall can then be divided by measuring from the line to the 

 bottom of the ditch. From one-fourth to one-half inch of fall to 

 the rod is enough, and in large tiles less fall will do. 



Digging the Ditch. 



Commence at the outlet to dig the ditch. If the banks of the 

 ditch have a tendency to cave, the tiles should be put in as fast 

 as the ditch is dug; but if the banks stand firm, it is better to com- 

 mence laying the tiles at the upper end, after the whole ditch is 

 completed. The lower part of the ditch should be dug with a tile 

 spade, the bottom cleaned out with a tile scoop, and the tiles laid 

 with a tile hook. 



The tiles should be covered with loose soil to the depth of twelve 

 inches. This can be done by breaking down the top of the bank 

 on both sides of the ditch, after which the filling of the ditch can 

 be done with the horses and plow, care being taken not to let the 

 horses get into the ditch and disturb the tiles. 



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