126 ON THE BEST METHOD OF 



Much miscliief is done by tlie sand getting* in at the bottom 

 part of the joinings of the tiles. Other materials have been 

 used for keei)ing- out the sand, but with bad el51ect. I ])refer 

 clay to anything- else when it can be g'ot sufficiently loose 

 and malleable, so as to bed quite close and firm, and leave no 

 crevice. Straw and all perishable materials are particularly 

 avoided. 



When the season is wet (althoug-h, from manj^ considera- 

 tions, a dry one should be chosen if possible), and when the 

 drain is deep, great difficulty is found in keeping- the sides 

 from falling- in before the tiles and first covering- can be 

 deposited. I have frequently found it necessary to fix 

 planks to the falling- sides, supported by cross-staj's, to 

 prevent accident, and keep the drain open until the work be 

 completed. 



After the clay or strong- soil is well trodden in and thrust 

 down the sides of the tiles with a common spade, the sand 

 thrown out in making- the drain is then filled in, and is firmly 

 heat down by treading-, and sometimes by running- a broad- 

 wheeled cart u})on it, in which is put a sufficient weight, in 

 order that the covering- of the drain may become as firm as 

 any other part of the field. This is done to prevent the 

 water from descending- or finding a channel to the tile in that 

 direction, or it would be almost impossible to keep out the 

 sand. 



Sufficient has been said by diffisrent authors, especially in 

 those Essays which are published in the Royal Agricultural 

 Joiu'nal, as to the proper and natural course of the water — 

 how it does and ought to enter the drain — without my 

 entering at all into that part of the science of draining. 



On account of the quantity of labour required in forming 

 the drains, varying according as the land is wet and imdu- 

 lating, and again, the desideratum being rather permanent 

 and well-executed work, than a large amount of it, I have 

 had the work done, for the most part, b^^ the day rather than 

 by the piece. Notwithstanding, I have occasionally stipii- 

 hited for the cutting of the two bottom spits, which together 

 sink the drain about thirt}'- inches, at the rate of S^d. per 

 7 yards. The tools required are the common spade, 

 shovel, draining-tool, and what is called the swan-necked 

 scoop for cleaning out the bottom of the drain. 



The pipe-tiles having- been of late introduced into this 

 neighbourhood, I have commenced using them. The drains 

 are cut, and every other part of the work ])erformed in the 



