CHAPTER V. 



UNDEEDRAINING. 



" Each bog and marsh industriously drain, 



Nor let vile ponds deface the beauteous plain." ANON. 



395. Notwithstanding there has been so much written on the 

 subject of underdraining with tile, stone, and wood, writers on 

 this subject have failed to bring out, with their suggestions and 

 directions for draining, many things which I consider of very 

 great importance, and which all good practical ditchers consider 

 of greater importance than almost any other part of draining. 

 There have been volumes written on draining which appear very 

 plausible while reading them, to those who have had but little 

 experience in thorough draining, but which in reality, instead of 

 imparting the desired information to the young farmer, mislead 

 him. It is attended with no embarrassments to pen a good chap 

 ter on draining, and to give diagrams of ditches, and to direct 

 how deep they should be cut, and with what materials they 

 should be filled. But let a beginner take the tools, and attempt 

 to follow up the directions which have been laid down by writers 

 on draining ; and if he does not meet with some almost insuper 

 able embarrassments, he will be an exception to the general rule. 

 Making a long drain in a manner to subserve the best purpose, 

 is a job which is not to be performed every year ; but it should 

 be done so that it will work well for a life-time. A long drain 

 may be made in the best manner throughout its entire length, 

 with the exception of a few inches near the outlet, which will 

 render all that lies above it nearly or quite worthless. Drains 

 are often rendered worthless by having been improperly dug, or 

 by having been filled with poor materials, or by the improper 



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