CHAPTER JXIV 



DRAINAGE AND WATER-SUPPLY 



A Question of Soil. 



THE question of drainage is more often a question of soil, 

 for we always find that a clay soil has too much moisture, 

 whilst a light soil often has too little. The taking off of 

 surplus moisture warms the soil, makes it more amenable 

 to tillage operations, and enables the plant to grow more 

 rapidly, and use more plant food in building up a strong 

 constitution. Drainage is needed in most lands in Eng- 

 land, although its need is much more apparent in clay soils. 

 We may judge of the ill effects of want of drainage by in- 

 dulging in a little experiment with two pot plants. Put 

 some stiff clay over the hole in the bottom of a flower-pot, 

 and then pot a plant with the best soil obtainable. Pro- 

 cure another pot and put therein an equal plant, substitut- 

 ing the orthodox draining material crocks for the clay. 

 Water both plants. You will find that the water will soak 

 away from the properly drained pot, whilst it will be re- 

 tained in the one which is stopped up. If you can 

 summon sufficient patience to continue the experiment 

 for several weeks, treating each plant in like manner, it 

 will be found that the well-drained plant will make head- 

 way, while the other will be making proportionate retro- 

 gression. It might be pointed out in passing that there 

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