THE 1KEIGATION AGE. 



115 



POLO FIELD AT DREAMWOLD. 



THE FARM OF THOMAS W. LAWSON CO., SCITUATE, MASS. 



The polo field, so called, is the area enclosed by the 

 trotting and coach tracks, and contains about eight and 

 one-third acres, which was originally a swamp, practi- 

 cally impassable except when surface became frozen 

 in winter time. Through the center of this area was 

 a brook, which was the natural outlet for some 200 

 acres of territory lying to the south and west. 



The growth on this swamp varied from bushy 

 scrub growth to heavy wood, and contained many varie- 

 ties such as white birch, maple, ash and oak, inter- 

 spersed with alder, dog-wood, wild grape and brier, all 

 together forming the usual typical growth of similar 

 land in the vicinity. 



The soil also showed much variation, from the loam 

 usual to the upland to a heavy peat or "sphagnum," 



and varied in depth from six inches to three and one- 

 half feet. The subsoil showed even a greater variation, 

 and within a very small area, sand, gravel, clay and 

 hard-pan, so called, was encountered, all saturated with 

 water supplied by springs, which made the handling of 

 such materials both difficult and expensive. The area 

 between the contour line A B and the track (to the 

 west) on plan accompanying was cut down and the 

 material used in filling the two tracks to grade required, 

 while the remaining area was not changed as to grade, 

 but was stumped and grubbed and roots and rubbish 

 burned and ashes spread. 



The fact of this site of the polo field being the 

 natural outlet for surface drainage of area beyond, re- 

 quired provision to be made not only for the field itself 

 but for the additional territory mentioned, and for that 

 purpose a main drain of 20-inch Akron pipe, laid dry 

 and surrounded on sides and top by small stones, was 

 constructed. 



From this main drain lateral drains were laid, as 

 exigency required, and wherever possible at an angle to 

 the surface slope of the land. 



The brook existing was filled with stone, and con- 

 nected with the main drain, and the westerly part of 

 the field near the turn of trotting track was ditched and 

 stoned in like manner, thereby cutting off water coining 

 under the track on the original level of the ground. 

 This ditch was connected at intervals with the lateral 

 drains, and thereby with the main drain. 



Another drain twelve inches in diameter was laid 

 almost at a right angle to the main and extending 

 underneath the track and driveway, which acted as an 

 outlet for the several catch-basins along the driveway. 



At intervals on the main drain, man-holes were con- 

 structed of stone and covered with iron covers, set so 

 as to be covered by about six inches of top soil. 



The general surface of the polo field was as is 

 usual to swamp areas, practically level in itself, and the 

 fact of being governed by the grade of the outlet at a 

 culvert under the railroad made the available grade for 

 the 20-inch main drain limited, there being but about 

 twenty inches fall in the total length of over 1,100 

 feet. This same condition governed most of the lateral 

 drains, except where they were laid when surface was 

 cut down, when more fall was available. 



Notwithstanding this lack of grade available, 

 coupled with the fact of the water-shed outside of the 

 field being at a much higher elevation, many drains of 

 which were laid at a 5 per cent grade, all meaning a 

 large volume of water in a very short space of time, 

 the main drain has proven of sufficient capacity to take 

 care of, not only the ordinary, but the unusual demands 

 of a heavy storm. 



The approximate length of the different-sized drains 

 are as follows : 



Main drain (20") 1,150 feet. 



Main drain (12") 300 feet. 



French drains (4") 4,700 feet. 



Stone drains 925 feet. 



After the drains were constructed, the surface was 

 graded and laid down to grass, and considering the 

 drouth of the early part of the season, already gives 

 promise of a good turf in the near future. 



M. J. O'HEARN, Contractor. 



A correspondent at 'Grand Eapids, Wis., says a 

 drainage company has been formed there which pro- 

 poses to drain the extensive marshes in Wood and Por- 

 tage counties. 



The company has purchased as much of this marsh 

 land as can be obtained, but many owners still hold 

 their marshes, as they desire their wild hay each year, 

 which practically costs them, nothing excepting the cut- 

 ting. 



The drainage company intends to make ditches as 

 large as creeks through these marshes and the farmers 

 strongly object to such proceedings. 



By the construction of ditches the marshes lose all 

 value for hay-raising and as the farmers have large 

 herds of stock to feed the loss of hay each year will be 

 a large item. 



Renew your subscriptions to the IRRIGATION AGE 

 for 1903. Send us in Post Office or Express money 

 order for $1.00. 



