38 HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



the maiu draiu being the first dug and the last laid. For a 

 stone drain, cut one side nearly perpendicular. 



Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, represent a series of spades used in 

 digging drains; the ordinary shovel and spade answers, how- 

 ever, for the first three feet, but a narrow spade, like Fig. 1-1, 

 is very desirable in cutting the last foot, while the bottom is 

 fitted for the round tile by an instrument like Fig. 15. The 

 instrument represented in Fig. 16, is used for shaping the 

 bottom of 'the drain for sole tiles. Any old shovel or spade 

 can readily be transformed, by the nearest blacksmith, into the 

 required shape, and a long handle completes the tool. Much 

 time and labor is saved by using tools of the proper shape, 

 while it is necessary that the bottom of the drain should be as 

 nearly uniform as possible. 



It is desirable that the main drain should be from two to 

 four inches lower than the minors, in order that they may 

 enter it from above, rendering it less liable to obs^uction at 

 the junction. The slopes of all the drains should be as regular 

 as possible, which may be regulated by the use of the span, 

 Fig. 6. After completing the trenches, laying the pipe and 

 collar tile [Fig. 5) is a simple operation of fitting one over the 

 other, commencing at the highest point in all cases. With 

 simply the pipe tile a small bit of shingle, slate, or thin board, 

 should be put under, and a sod of turf over each joint, to hold 

 them in place and prevent their settling, or the loose soil wash- 

 ing in at the joints. The earth will soon harden so as to obvi- 

 ate the necessity. Care should be taken to place the openings 

 as nearly opposite as possible, in order that there may be no 

 obstruction to the water. (With an instrument like Fig. 17, 

 tile can be laid very rapidly.) Joint tiles should be used at the 

 junction of the drains. The most accurate measurements 



