TILE DRAINAGE. 



89 



like a skate, and one strap passes around behind the heel, 

 and is riveted or sewed, on each side, to the strap that passes 

 over the instep. It should be fitted to the boot you expect 



i. -Steel "foot-iron," for shoving- the spade (showing- outline of 

 boot-foot and leg 1 , and iron buckled on for work. 



to wear in ditching, by a skillful blacksmith and harness- 

 maker, and should fit just right, both the iron and the straps. 

 It should buckle on the outside of the foot, so that the buckle 

 and loop shall not be in the way of the spade-handle. It is 

 almost an absolute necessity with a rubber boot ; and even a 

 heavy leather sole is soon worn out without it, and almost 

 immediately softens up so that it is spongy and not hard as 

 it should be to thrust the spade most effectively. You can 

 send the spade "home" far more quickly and easily with 

 the ditching-iron, and it tires the foot less, and saves the 



