Alfalfa in Kansas. 



219 



FIG. 195. Some of the tools useful in draining land. 

 [Courtesy International Harvester Company.] 



through any big wholesale hardware company. They are made in 16- to 

 22-in. lengths and have 4%- to 6-in. bits. A 20-in. length with a 6-in. 

 bit is the most practical size for any work that I have ever yet met with. 

 They are surely time-savers no friction and no mud-gathering, as with 

 the solid-backed spades. They should not cost over $2.50 each for the 

 large size. Don't pry with them, for they are made to dig with. 



I got two drain hoes, one 4-in. and one 6-in. They are to remove the 

 crumbs that fall from the spades in digging the bottom or last spade- 

 layer, before you lay the tile, and to surface the bottom of the ditch 

 preparatory to laying the tile. I also got a tile hook. This is a piece of 

 ^-in. round bar iron, bent to a right angle and fitted to a garden rake 

 handle. The part standing at right angles with the handle is about ten 

 inches long. This is to lay the tile with, and is also a time-saver, as you 

 do not have to get down into the trench to lay the tile. Therefore, by 

 using the hook, it is unnecessary to make your trench any wider than 

 for the tile, making quite a saving of time and labor in a big job. 



One will need also a guide line for the top-digger; a grade line for the 

 tile layer, and two good, stout stakes to tie it to; and the grade stakes. 

 The grade stakes should be four feet long, and can be used many times if 

 you always remember to cut out the notch of the previous survey. If you 

 don't cut out the notch you are liable to make serious mistakes. 



