FARM DRAINAGE. 



69 



determined by the nature of the soil and number of branches to 



the drain. In a firm clay soil there may be little or no deposits 



of silt after the drain has been in 



operation for a short time ; but in 



sandy soils, or those streaked with 



sand, quite an amount of silt will N^ 



find its way into the tile for some 



time. I would always advise their 



use where, as shown in the cut, 



several drains must be brought 



together. 



Digging the Ditch. The 



tools necessary to do good WOrk SEVERAL DRAINS UNITED AT A SILT-BASTW. 



are : First A ditching-spade for the first spading ; this has a 

 blade eighteen inches long, a little narrower than the common 

 spade, and slightly curved, so as to enable it to hold the earth 

 and lift it out. Second A tile-spade, which is narrower than 

 the ditching-spade, and tapers towards the point. Third A 

 pull-scoop, or tile-hoe, for cleaning the bottom of the ditch. 

 These spades are familiar to our readers, and are kept on sale 

 by most hardware dealers ; but, as the tile-hoe is not so com- 

 mon, we give a cut of it below. 



The narrower the ditch can be dug the less weight of earth 

 must be handled. The sides should be cut smooth, and slanting 

 to the bottom, which should only be dug wide enough to receive 

 the tile. In good soil, which can be spaded, a ditch need not be 

 over ten or twelve inches wide at the top. If the land is so 

 hard that a pick must be used, it may be necessary to have the 



ditch much wider at the top, 

 but it should always slant to 

 the width of the tile at the 

 bottom. 



It is best to lay the tile by 

 hand, although, if the bottom is 

 soft, it can be done from the 

 surface with a tile-hook; but, 

 if the bottom is firm and hard, the workman may stand on the tile 



A TILE-HOE OR PULL-SCOOP. 



