CHAPTER VI 

 LAYING OUT A DRAIN OR SYSTEM 



WHEN the tile draining ranges from a single line of 

 tile to a system draining a moderate area, with reasonable 

 facilities for an outlet, and with a fair fall, it is entirely 

 practicable for the farmer to do the work himself. On 

 the other hand, when the area to be drained is large, and 

 especially when the fall must of necessity be very slight, - 

 it is usually better to place the work in the hands of a 

 practical drainage engineer. In any case the work should 

 be taken up much as outlined below. 



146. Establishing the point of outlet. The first 

 thing to be done is to determine the point at which the 

 drain, or system, shall discharge its water. We have 

 already indicated in paragraph 112 how important a 

 matter this is. Upon it depends not only the regular 

 and proper disposal of the water discharged from the 

 system, but the plan and efficiency of the system itself, 

 and the economy that may be exercised in its construc- 

 tion. A tile drain or a tile system should be planned not 

 for a few years, but for generations of service. 



147. Laying out a drain. If the drain is to be single 

 or simple, one should begin at the point determined upon 

 for the outlet, and establish the line of the drain by driving 

 stakes at intervals of 50 feet. 1 Two kinds of stakes 

 should be provided. 



148. Grade stakes. These stakes should be about 

 1 inch by 1| inches, 10 inches long, and pointed. In 



1 With many engineers 100 feet is preferred. 

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