100 FOR BETTER CROPS IN THE SOUTH 



observe in Figure 8, the result of carelessness in grading the 

 ditch. The low places or sags in the tile become filled with 

 dirt until finally the tile is completely choked. This can be 

 avoided by a careful surveying of the land before attempting to 

 drain it and by exercising a little care in establishing the grade 

 line. 



Laying the Tile— In laying the tile line, we should begin at 

 the outlet, which should be carefully protected either by build- 

 ing a small concrete outlet protector, or by using one of the 

 galvanized outlets which may be purchased on the market. It 

 is usually best to use a liberal quantity of concrete, putting it 

 around the first five or six tile. This will prevent settling and 

 clogging, providing the outlet is subject to washing. A few iron 

 bars across the opening of the outlet will prevent small animals 

 from entering the tile. The tile should be laid close together — 

 as close as possible. If the cracks between them exceed one- 

 eighth of an inch they should be covered with pieces of broken 

 tile, or with heavy clay, or some other such substance. In sandy 

 soil, it is important to see that the bottom edges of the tile fit 

 closely together. In this type of soil it is best to put a small 

 quantity of heavy clay underneath the joints. This may seem 

 to be an unusual amount of bother and trouble, but when one 

 considers that it is much better to lay the tile properly in the 

 first place, than it is to dig it up after it has become obstructed, 

 he will realize the importance of exercising a little care to begin 

 with. After the tile is laid, a few inches of dirt should be care- 

 fully placed on top to hold them in place while filling the ditch. 



Filling the Ditch— Filling the ditch may be done by the use 

 of the slip scraper, plow or road grader. The plow is most com- 

 monly used, it being necessary to make a long evener so that the 

 horses may walk far enough away from the ditch to prevent any 

 danger of falling in. 



Open Ditches — The open ditch finds its best use as an out- 

 let for tile drains. When the volume of water is sufficient to 

 warrant digging an open ditch it is best to use a team and a slip 

 scraper. First, plow several furrows, then by the use of the slip 

 scraper open up the ditch. This will make a shallow ditch, 

 which may be easily crossed and can be kept clean by the use of 

 the mower, except in cases where excess of water causes wash- 

 ing. If such is the case a permanent ditch is needed. An open 

 ditch is generally an eye sore to a field, as it is a place for the 

 growing of noxious weeds. It is inconvenient to cross with a 

 team and prevents the cultivation of all the land. It is 

 much better wherever possible to use a tile drain instead of an 

 open ditch. 



"Taken from Elliott's Engineering for Land Drainage. 



