RECLAIMING MUCK LAND 53 



bottom of the ditch. In both cases, the dig- 

 ging of the ditch is commenced at the outlet. 



The ditch for tile should be dug perfectly 

 straight, and the bottom cut with the spade, 

 made as narrow as possible, and finally fin- 

 ished with the tile scoop. The English tiling 

 tools will be found useful for this work. 

 Where an experienced man is available, he 

 will not need a guide for grading, but will 

 carry the grade with the water. It has been 

 found necessary in most cases, where tile is 

 used to place a board below the tile to keep 

 the tile from sagging, also necessary to cover 

 the joints of the tile with some material such 

 as old bags, tar paper or hay, to prevent the 

 fine muck from filling the tile. 



Tile Drainage. If tile can be laid with 

 from 2% to 3 feet of soil on top of them, it 

 is usually not necessary to put them closer 

 than 50 to 75 feet between lines. If a true 

 grade is maintained, as mentioned above, a 

 very slight fall will carry the water where 

 the work is carefully done. Muck does not 

 require as large tile, nor does it need them 

 so close together as other soils, as the 

 ground is of a spongy open nature, retaining 

 water longer and giving it to the tile very 

 gradually. 



