FIRST STEPS TOWARDS AFFORESTATION 21 



The blade is about 18 inches to 24 inches long (the longer 

 length for deeper drains), 6 or 7 inches in width at the 

 tread, tapering to 3 inches at the point, and is slightly 

 convex in shape (Fig. 2). 



For throwing out the loose soil and for grading the 

 bottom of a drain, the tools used are either a narrow 

 curved shovel on a long handle or a long curved scoop. 



Fio. 2. 

 A, Oraff; Ba,ndC, Grading tools. 



Either tool is very good, but where the bottom is soft 

 the latter is better, as the user by working backwards up 

 the drain avoids treading on the prepared bed. A tool 

 for laying the tiles in soft places is similarly shaped, but 

 having a steel rod in place of the scoop. A pick is gener- 

 ally necessary where the soil is hard or stony. 



