228 



FARM DEVELOPMENT 



of using stones and boards in making underdrains. 



Underdraining peaty lands. Instead of tiles laid 



in the bottom of the ditch in peaty soils, continuous 



bundles of crooked hardwood poles are sometimes so 



laid that the 

 water can pass 

 among them 

 and thus run 

 off. See Figures 

 133 and 134. 



Figure 131. Drains made by laying floor stones in bottom Where t h C S 6 

 of the ditch, and covering either by laying cover stone on wall 



stone, as at A, by leaning two stones together, as at B, or by drain c are laid 

 constructing an arch of small stones, as at C. 



in peaty lands 



covered with heather, or with other low shrubs, small 

 woody plants can be used to place first over the bundles 

 of poles thus preventing the rotted peat, with which the 

 remainder of the ditch is filled, from sifting down among 

 the poles and 

 clogging t h e 

 drain. In many 

 cases the tiles 

 may be laid at 

 sufficient depth 

 to be in the 

 hard ground 

 beneath the 

 peat. 



Dikes, pumps other methods of securing free drainage without tiles. 



and gate s. 



As our lands become more valuable the reclamation of 

 fields now covered with water, at the edge of lakes, along 

 rivers, or bordering on the ocean, will repay for drain- 

 ing. Here dikes to keep out the flood water are some- 

 times necessary. These can be thrown up by means of 

 machinery heretofore mentioned, as in Figure 120. In 

 case of heavy grading works, tram cars drawn by horses, 



Figure 132. A, drain made by covering a V-shaped groove 



in the bottom or the ditch by a board resting on snouiders 



id supporting the earth returned to the ditch. B, C, D, 



