320 THE YOUNG FARMER'S MANUAL. 



441. Drains should never intersect at right angles. If they 

 are made at right angles to each other, the one that intersects 

 with a larger one should be dug in a circle for a few feet from 

 the main drain. Tile should be manufactured expressly for 

 receiving side drains. They are commonly made with a hole in 

 one side of a tile. But the correct way is, to have a large tile 

 made like a tree, with a large limb on one side of it, which should 

 stand at about an angle of forty-five degrees with the main tile ; 

 or a crotched tile placed at the junction would subserve a good 

 purpose. (See Par. 438.) 



DITCHING WITH MACHINES. 



442.. There have been several kinds of ditching machines in 

 vented and put into successful operation in some localities. But 

 where there is much hard-pan, or many stones or bowlders, large 

 and small, firmly imbedded in the subsoil, it is almost impossible 

 to accomplish much with any that have as yet been invented. 

 When the subsoil can be nearly all spaded, some ditching ma 

 chines operate very satisfactorily. The best ditching machine 

 with which I am acquainted is drawn by two horses, one walking 

 on each side of the ditch, having a small plow to loosen the earth, 

 with a system of revolving spades to bring up the earth ; and when 

 each spade stands in a perpendicular position, the earth drops 

 clown, and slides or rolls off on each side of the ditch. After 

 such a machine has accomplished all it can perform, in most 

 places it is necessary to have a good practical ditcher to grade 

 the bottom of a true inclination. For such a machine the ground 

 must be free from stone. 



443. In J. J. Thomas' Farm Implements, page 139, is a cut 

 of a draining plow which is said to operate very successfully, 

 cutting the ditch and laying the tile at one operation. But the 

 cost for ordinary farmers is too great ; and besides, it would not 

 operate where there are many stone in the subsoil. And, more 

 than all else, the tile when strung on a rope would be liable to 

 be left many times in such a position that when the ground came 

 to settle down some of the ends would settle by each other. 



