TERRACING AND DRAINING 75 



fine gravel are torn loose and hurried along. The re- 

 moval of the soil leaves a wash or scar in the field. Every 

 rain repeats the process, so that in time a gully or ditch 

 deep enough to hide a horse and rider is formed. Soon 

 the water in each row that crosses this wash cuts a little 

 channel down to the main gully and, in time, the field be- 

 comes unfit for cultivation (Fig. 48). If the first break is 

 mended the field will continue to produce good crops 

 instead of becoming worthless. The old saying that " a 

 stitch in time saves nine " is very true in preventing the 

 washing away of the soil. 



Terracing. Most hillsides in this climate tend to wash 

 if cultivated. Terracing is a system of protecting hillsides 



FIG. 49. A HILLSIDE TERRACED TO PREVENT WASHING 



against washing. A terrace is a low bank or ridge, winding 

 around a hill or slope, but always maintaining nearly a 

 perfect level. To keep on a level the terrace often has to 

 wind about with many an inconvenient curve and crook. 



When the top of a terrace is kept even and level, it re- 

 duces the amount of washing. The level top-line permits 

 the water to run over the top of the terrace bank along 



