Coiistmctiou of Drams, 



which the best of farming land can be brought umjg^y?)^^, 

 cultivation 



It would be impossible in a volume of this size, even 

 if wholly devoted to the topic, to give a complete de- 

 scription, with all details of methods and materials 

 employed, for constructing the tile drains now in general 

 use. We can only hope'to give a few detached sugges- 

 tions on the subject, such as may be of beneht to our 

 readers in improving waste land, and in rendering 

 hea\y, soggy fields more tillable, and turning to account 

 their natural fertility. 



Amongst all the \arious ways of constructing perma- 

 nent drains — with stone, brush, square and sole tile, 

 etc. — it has become the well established general opin- 

 ion that well-bunied round tiles, with collars, if well 

 laid, form the best. And in the long run they also 

 prove the cheapest ; although at first more expensive 

 than some other devices. 



Cobble-stone drains, such as in some localities are 

 largely used in place of tile, are, when properly laid, 

 actually more costly. And still more objectionable is 

 the fact that, although in some instances they may last 

 a long time and prove quite serviceable, they are always 

 liable to be reached by surface water, which, by carry- 

 ing silt into them, stops them up, and of course renders 

 them useless. 



The general principles to be observed in laying a 

 stone drain are quite well understood. But a mistake 

 is often made by lack of diligence in securing proper 

 covering, and especially by resorting to the use of turf, 

 which is often dumped in upon the stones, and which, 



