IN THE EVERGLADES 31 



ridge or apex, say a foot or more above the general level of the 

 field. This apex will drain the land towards the ditches and forms 

 an admirable place to plant trees upon, securing them at all times 

 from standing water. 



All ditches should be dug with sloping sides to prevent their,, 

 caving. The width and depth should be kept uniform, for one 

 must bear in mind that the capacity or delivery of a ditch is 

 governed by the narrowest or shallowest place in it. 



In case the land is extra level, great care must be taken to 

 see that these laterals have sufficient fall, and for this purpose an 

 instrument had better be used, a carpenter's level equipped with 

 level sights being satisfactory for small fields. The lands of the 

 Everglades are admirably suited for this manner of drainage. 

 The open ditches can here be dug on almost a level, and for this 

 reason these same ditches can be used for irrigation, by simply 

 keeping the water-table where the crop will be benefited the most. 

 This can be further facilitated by putting in miniature gates or 

 locks, so water can be let in or out as the occasion may demand. 

 It will be necessary to install a pump for raising the water to the 

 level of the ditches in a dry time for irrigation, but this pump can 

 in turn be used to carry out water in wet spells, thus serving a 

 double purpose. 



The expense -of a pump for this purpose need not be heavy. 

 Since the lift is very slight a cheap outfit will raise a great amount 

 of water. This method, in my opinion, will find great favor in 

 this region. 



I feel that I would not be doing this subject complete justice 

 without referring to the danger of one's being tempted to trust 

 to luck and attempt to farm on level land without first making 

 ample provision by digging these lateral ditches. Long con- 

 tinuous drouths will disarm one in this respect and will convince 

 the individual to take precedent as a guide. Failures are to be 

 traced to this every season, as one is apt to think that because it 

 did not rain one season it will be dry the next also, and so on. 

 I say, DON'T TAKE ANY CHANCES. We seldom have two 



