Drainage 87 



bottom. Such drains not only give the advantages 

 of underdrainage, but also afford a means of dispos- 

 ing of superfluous stone. If they have a good fall, 

 and care is exercised not to fill the spaces between 

 the stones with earth, they may be nearly or quite 

 as efficient as tile drains. The deeper the drains, 

 the deeper will be the ameliorating effect on the 

 sod and the greater the area which they drain. As a 

 matter of practice, however, it is found, that four 

 feet is usually the maximum depth, and about three 

 feet the minimum. Wet lands, or very hard clay 

 lands, should have drains at a distance of not more 

 than two or three rods, if the lands are to be put in 

 the very best condition for market -gardening purposes. 

 It may be advisable, however, to use such lands for 

 the later, cheaper and general -purpose crops rather 

 than for the very early ones if the gardener has other 

 land which can be used for the crops which are de- 

 sired for the early market. For detailed advice on 

 drainage, the readers should consult special books on 

 the subject. 



Tillage. At the present time the great emphasis in 

 agricultural practice is placed on tillage. We have 

 passed through that era in our development in which 

 we have looked to recipes and special practices for the 

 improving of the soil. The fundamental thing is to 

 till : the later and incidental thing is to fertilize the 

 land. 



We till (1) to prepare the soil to receive the crop, 

 and (2) to maintain the soil in good condition for the 

 growth of the crop. To prepare the soil for the crop, 



