TERRACING AND DRAINING 75 



fine gravel are torn loose and hurried along. The re- 

 moval of the soil leaves a wash or .scar in the field. Every 

 rain repeats the process, so that in time a gully or ditch 

 deep enough to hide a horse and rider is formed. Soon 

 the water in each row that crosses this wash cuts a little 

 channel down to the main gully and, in time, the field be- 

 comes unfit for cultivation (Fig. 48). If the first break is 

 mended the field will continue to produce good crops 

 instead of becoming worthless. The old saying that "a 

 stitch in time saves nine " is very true in preventing the 

 washing away of the soil. 



Terracing. Most hillsides in this climate tend to wash 

 if cultivated. Terracing is a system of protecting hillsides 



Fte. 49 . A HILLSIDE TERRACED TO PREVENT WASHING 



against washing. A terrace is a low bank or ridge, winding 

 around a hill or slope, but always maintaining nearly a 

 perfect level. To keep on a level the terrace often has to 

 wind about with many an inconvenient curve and crook. 



When the top of a terrace is kept even and level, it re< 

 duces the amount of washing. The level top-line permits 

 the water to run over the top of the terrace bank along 



