Locations, Sites and Soils 17 



land soils are so retentive or have such impervious sub- 

 soils that they require under-drainage. The water-table 

 should not be closer to the surface than two feet. Poorly 

 drained "crawfish" land may do fairly well the first 

 year or two without under-drainage but good crops are 

 not certain. A few varieties thrive in heavy, moist 

 land but none thrives in wet land. Open ditches may be 

 used to advantage in draining swamps. Blind ditches 

 are useful for draining wet places in a field otherwise well 

 drained. The most practical method, in most cases, is 

 to under-drain with tile. Much of the strawberry land 

 in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi is flat; 

 water stands on it after heavy rains, often to a depth of 

 one inch or more. Under-drainage will help these soils, 

 but it is necessary, in addition, to throw the land into 

 beds or ridges as described in Chapter II. 



