HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAT. 



CHAPTER I. 



DRAINING. 



^Jl NDERDRAINING will improve three fourths ot the land 

 now under cultivation in this country ; and full one 

 half will abundantly pay for the expense. Drainage 

 deepens the soil, assists vegetation, lengthens the season 

 for labor and vegetation, precludes the necessity for replanting 

 prevents the freezing out of winter crops, promotes the absorp- 

 tion of fertilizers, supplies air to the roots of plants, improves 

 the quantity and quality of crops and tends to prevent drought. 

 These are facts established beyond all doubt, by multiplied ex- 

 periments in nearly every state in the Union. The lesson this 

 reads to every farmer is, Drain your wet lands. 



The best of all materials for drains is the round oi pipe 

 tile. See Figs. 1 and 2. Sole tiles. Fig. 3, are more expensive 

 ftmd more difficult to lay, and not as good as the pipe tile. 

 Horseshoe tiles, Fig. 4, should never be used. The pipe tile is 

 mproved by having a collar, Fig. 5 ; but this can be dispensed 

 Niih. by putting a thin piece of board or slate under and a strip 

 )f turf over each joint, to steady it until its position is secured. 



Where tiles are scarce and high, and stones are plenty, resort 



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