42 



GARDEN JIAXAGEMENT. 



io8. In excavating tlie drains, the first operation is to cut the intei'secting' 

 di-ain, M 4, beginning at the outfall near the brook. The depth will depend 

 upon the level of the brook when full ; but, supposing there is a good fall, it 

 should not be less than 4-0- feet. The width at the sm-face should be laid out 



neatly with the line and reel, 

 and the first spit removed of a 

 width in which the man can 

 work conveniently, gi-adually 

 tapering towards the bottom. 

 The earth, as it is removed, 

 should be thrown to the lower 

 side of the drain — first, because 

 it is easier for the workmen, 

 but also to prevent a slip of the 

 soil caused by the incumbent 

 weight, if heavy rains occurred 

 while the work was in progress. 

 Having dug out the soil to 

 within 8 or 9 inches of the 

 bottom, for which the draining- 

 s^tade A is generally used, the 

 bottom being of a breadth con- 

 venient for the workman, the 

 remaining space is required to 

 be much narrower, and is excavated by means of the bottom-tools, B and C, 

 the workman standing on the shoulders, a a, the bottom being made smooth 

 and level by means of the scoop, of which several sizes are in use. This drain 



being opened in its whole length, the main 

 drain is proceeded with in the same manner, 

 taking care that while the bottom is left 

 smooth, it shoiUd have a proper fall in its 

 whole length, and that if there is no natural 

 fall in the land, one should be produced by 

 making the head of the drain shallower than 

 the outfall. If the soil is clay, and likely to 

 bear the exposure without falling in, it will 

 greatly facilitate the work to open the other 

 main drains, M 1 and M 3, both of which are 

 to be executed in the same manner. The 

 advantages of this are twofold : the person 

 charged with the work will see that these 

 drains are all at the proper level ; he will see, also, the quantity of water 

 flowing in them, which will, in many instances, enable him to check his 

 calculations, and provide against unexpected land-springs. HaA-ing satisfied 

 himself that his main drains are in proper order, and laid down the pipes. 



