32 W A I, L 7 S M A N U A I* 



fifty or one hundred yards. A large field, with a 

 sandy or pebbly substratem, has often been drained 

 by a single drain.. 



The drains should be made as deep as the nature 

 of the soil and the "fall" will admit. Say from 

 thirty to thirty -six inches, or if possible, four or five 

 feet in depth. The great object in draining is to 

 remove the surplus water, and give free access of air- 

 to as great a depth of soil as possible. The roots of 

 crops are known to run to a great depth in soils 

 which are in a proper condition to be penetrated by 

 them. Indian corn has been known to send its roots 

 down to the depth of six feet. Clover has sent its 

 tap root down to the depth of forty-two inches. 

 These facts have been ascertained by actual experi- 

 ment. It will bo found that the tops of plants vary 

 nearly in proportion to their roots ; how necessary, 

 then, to furnish a deep, rich soil for the roots. When 

 marshy lands arc first drained they will not at once 

 be productive. Time must be allowed for the proper 

 chemical changes to take place, but these changes 

 may be greatly hastened by artificial means. The 

 application of quick lime or unleached ashes Avill help 

 to neutralize the vegetable acids always present, and 

 thus sweeten the soil. 



Draining in clay soils is one of the best preventives 

 f drought. Stiff soils are generally very wet during 

 the winter and spring ;. the whole mass of plowed 

 earth is like a bed of mortar, and settles down very 

 compactly. If this land has been drained and sub- 

 soiled, the surplus water settles down at once and is 

 carried off by the drains, while during a drought 

 enough moisture soaks upward to supply the plants, 

 and keep them in a growing condition. 



