92 FOR BETTER CROPS IN THE SOUTH 



washing. Tile drainage deepens the soil, allowing it to take up 

 some of the water, and thus tends to prevent surface erosion. 



It is a matter of observation that well-drained land will resist 

 drought better than undrained. The principal reason for this 

 is the improved physical condition of the soil resulting from 

 drainage. The drained soil will also withstand wet weather 

 much better than undrained. 



*Fi£. 2. The grouping system 



Principles to Follow in Tile Drainage — 1. Lay the drains 

 in the natural lines of drainage as much as possible, as laying 

 them in this way will tend to increase the efficiency of the 

 drain. 2. Avoid short laterals so far as possible— the land near 

 the main line is drained by this line, and if short laterals are 

 used a part of the land will be double drained, thus increasing 

 the expense unnecessarily. 3. Lay the tile lines as straight as 

 possible, as crooked lines retard the flow of the water. Where the 

 direction of the tile is to be changed use an easy curve. 4. Lay 

 the tile lines so as to reach all parts of the field. 



Systems of Tile Drains — Keeping in mind the principles to 

 follow as outlined above, there are at least three systems which 

 may be used for laying out tile drains. 



