2-^^ 



Bulletin 254. 



Summary. 



1. A very large amount of drainage is needed in New York State. 

 The conditions needing drainage may be divided into three groups. 

 First, the pronounced swamp lands. Second, the comparatively level 

 land mostly of a heavy clay texture. Third, the rolling upland regions 

 of stony loam soil. 



2. Better drainage is needed in order to obtain the maximum 

 efficiency from tillage and manures. 



3. Open surface ditches are now most largely used to remove water 

 from wet land. It is believed that a large part of these open ditches 



should he replaced b\ tile drains. 



4. The first tile 

 drains constructed in 

 America were put in 

 by John Johnston on 

 his farm near Gen- 

 eva about 1837. I^^^ 

 farm of three hun- 

 dred acres contains 

 between sixty and 

 seventy miles of tile 

 drains practically all 

 of which are still in 

 good condition. 



5. Air. Johnston 

 greatly increased the 

 yield of all crops on 

 his land, which ranges 

 from a heavy clay to 

 a heavy gravelly 



loam, by the practice of tile drainage. This increased crop return is 

 maintained to the present date. 



6. Ten primary effects of drainage may be enumerated. These are, 

 first, it removes excess moisture and firms the s^il. Second, it improves 

 the physical condition of the soil. Third, it increases the amount of 

 moisture available to crops. Fourth, it improves the aerotion of the soil. 

 Fifth, drainage raises the average temperature of the soil and keeps it 

 more uniform. .Sixth, it increases the available food supply. Seventh, 

 it enables the plant to make better use of the food and moisture in the 

 soil. Eighth, drainage reduces the extent of heaving and other winter 

 injury. Ninth, drainage reduces the extent of erosion. Tenth, drainage 

 increases the yield of crops. 



7. On most of the land in the State it is not necessary to install an 



l5 ' 



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YiG. 216. — Use of road iiiacJiinc in the construction 

 of surface ditch. 



