68 



THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



I agree with Mr. W. I. Chamberlain, one of our best modern 

 writers on drainage, when he says : " The soil water is the poor 

 man's theodolite and level." As previously stated, if the fall is 

 slight, or there are unusual difficulties to overcome, I would 

 secure the services of a competent engineer; but otherwise I 

 would lay out the drains according to the slope of the land, and 

 dig them when the water would follow, and level by it. If the 

 water will flow after the first spade of earth is removed, it will 

 be easier to establish the grade at this point than at the bottom 

 of the ditch. It is wise to begin the work at a time when there 

 is enough water in the soil to flow through the drain, as this will 

 not only enable you to get the grade right, but the ground will 

 spade much easier than when dry and hard. 



Silt-Basins. Where the lay of the land is such that sub- 

 mains must join the main drain, a silt-basin should be located to 

 receive them. It may be described as a small well, and may be 



made of stone, brick, or wood. It may 

 be of such size as suits, but should 

 always be at least one foot deeper than 

 the bottom of the drain; and the top 

 of the tile at the outlet should not 

 be higher than the bottom of those 

 through which the water flows into it. 

 This will enable us to unite several 

 drains entering at different angles 

 without the objectionable feature of 

 short turns. It also permits the set- 

 tling of any sediment that may find its 

 way into the tile, where it can be easily 

 removed. The basin should be thor- 

 oughly made, and have a tight-fitting 

 cover. This silt-basin, if properly made 



A SIJ/T-BASIN. 



and protected, can be used as a well, and will furnish good 

 drinking water for men and horses whenever the drains are 

 flowing. It is best to construct these basins at points where 

 the grade suddenly changes from a steep to a less one. Whether 

 silt-basins will be needed at all, or how many of them, will be 



