84 How to Make the Garden Pay. 



J^-inch (more is better) to the rod. The laterals begin from this 

 main, are 2 or 2^ rods apart, and closer if it can be afforded 

 or is thought necessary, 3 to 4 feet in depth, and also rise 

 gradually at least ^-inch to the rod. As the only object is to 

 places the tiles into the bottom, we have no need for wide 

 ditches, and in order to save labor, aim to make them as narrow 

 as possible. With the improved ditching tools now on sale in 

 every hardware store, such drains can be cut quite conveniently 

 to the depth of 4 feet with only one foot across on top and 

 6 inches at the bottom. The work is begun with common spade, 

 shovel and if needed pick-axe, perhaps with the assistance of a 



common plow and subsoil plow; but 

 the last 12 inches of depth are dug 

 with the long narrow spade shown at 

 the left in engraving, and the finishing 

 touches given with the draining scoop 

 shown in centre of same figure. This 

 scoop, which is drawn towards the 

 operator, only finishes the perfect 

 cleaning out of the bottom, correcting 

 faulty grade, etc. , and leaves a concave 

 bed for the tile. Scoops of this kind 

 are made in different sizes to fit the 

 tile. Too much care cannot be be- 

 stowed on the grading. To secure 

 perfect working order, and durability 

 of the drains, their every part should 

 have a slight incline towards the out- 

 let ; and everything that might tend 

 to obstruct the continuous flow of 

 water in the tiles must be carefully 

 Set of Draining Tools. guarded against. Common sense in 

 the whole matter must dictate the details, and will be found a 

 safe guide throughout. 



SIZE OF TILES. The amount of water that runs off in an 

 even and continuous stream, after the first rush from the newly 

 ditched field, determines the size of tile. Two-inch tile are 

 generally preferable for the lateral drains, while the main must 

 have a size fully capable of carrying off the water that collects 

 from the laterals above, at the time of greatest supply. The flow 

 from a well-arranged system of underground drains, when in 

 perfect working order, is pretty nearly uniform through the whole 

 year, only of greater volume in winter than in summer. For water 

 containing iron larger sizes are necessary, as the deposits adhere, 

 and are liable to fill up the tile after awhile. The extreme upper 

 end of the main, for a short distance, may be arranged as a lateral, 

 and laid with small tile, but it should then be made larger by using 



