368 TILE DRAINING. 



4. The rate of fall or inclination of a drain should not de- 

 crease as it approaches the outlet. It may be increased as 

 much as is convenient. The rule is. to keep the water run- 

 ning faster and faster, rather than slower and slower, as it 

 gets on in the drain. 



5. The outlet should always be clear and free never, if 

 it can possibly be avoided, so arranged as to be obstructed 

 by mud or dead water. 



6. The tiles should have no porous material of any kind 

 over them, but should be imbedded (and firmly packed) in 

 the closest clay that is accessible. 



7. In digging the ditch, always commence at the lower 

 end and work toward the top ; in laying the tiles, commence 

 at the upper end, and continue toward the outlet. 



8. Never have tiles laid by the piece (or rod), but al- 

 ways by the day, and by the most faithful and careful man 

 that can be found ; if possible, do it yourself, and remem- 

 ber that the golden rule of draining is that, as the weakest 

 link of a chain is the measure of its strength, so is the 

 worst laid tile of a drain the measure of its goodness.* 



If the drains are laid at distances of forty feet it will take 

 just about one thousand feet of tiles to drain an acre. 



As to the sizes of tiles required, it will make a difference 

 whether the fall is rapid or slight ; but under all ordinary 

 circumstances, where there are no springs to be disposed of, 

 only the natural drainage of the land itself (its accumulated 



* Talpa, or the Chronicles of a Clay Farm. 



