DRAINAGE INDICATIONS 



189 



drainage, and while the soil was apparently of excellent 

 quality, it actually was very unproductive because of the 

 over-wet condition of the soil. 



250. Extended flat or even moderately rolling areas of 

 heavy soils. On these areas, after a rain or during and 



FIG. 78. To illustrate the condition existing in a field drained in October, 

 1914. S, the soil ranged from 18 inches to 36 inches in depth. /, 

 a sandy hard-pan averaging 6 inches thick, and underlaid by a coarser 

 sandy soil, which in turn extends down to the underlying lime stone. 

 Several areas in the field were very wet before the field was drained. 



after spring thaws, the water stands on the flat parts or 

 in the surface depressions. Frequently the higher parts 

 of rolling fields may be ready for the harrow or plow, but 

 work is deferred because of the wetness of the low places 

 or depressions. Not infrequently the beginning of field 



FIG. 79. The condition described in paragraph 250. The soil S.I is 

 a heavy clay, which allows but slow movement of water through it. 



operations is thus so greatly delayed that under the action 

 of sun and winds, the soil of much of the higher parts of 

 the field becomes over-dry before it can be (or is) subjected 

 to harrow or plow, and may even thus become unfitted 

 to receive the seeding which follows. 



This undesirable moisture condition is due to the heavy 

 or impervious nature of soil and usually the immediate 



