44 



AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE. 



The cost and weight of pipes vary so much that it 

 would not be safe to quote them. But at present 1 ^-inch pipes 

 cost from 30s. to 40s. per 1000 ; pipes of that size weigh 

 about 21bs. per foot, other sizes of pipes, ordinarily made, are 

 2-inch, 3-inch, 5 and 6-inch, the cost of which is in proportion 

 to the size. Pipes from 3 inches and larger are used for 

 taking the drainage from the smaller or feeding drains. 



Levels for Draining. Steep hillsides may be as much 

 in need of effective drainage as more level land ; even more 

 so, as soil is most likely to be washed from the steeper land. 

 Where possible, levels of the whole place should be taken ; 

 but the ordinary spirit level and a length of straight-edged 

 batten may do duty for ordinary draining, and so well is 

 the work done that capable drainers can open a pipe track 

 6ft. deep, 4in. at bottom, and 22in. at top, and lay in the 

 pipes without a speck of loose earth about them, until the 

 work is ready for filling in. Drainage can be done at any 

 time of the year, but as a rule the quickest effects are 

 noticed in summer. 



Materials for Draining. Porous drain pipes, stones, slabs 

 of hardwood, or saplings, and various 

 other materials are used for draining. It 

 is a good plan to look about before com- 

 mencing such work, and see what can be 

 used for the purpose. Stone, or rubble, 

 drains are very effective and durable, and 

 in some places land could be improved 

 immensely by gathering stones, which 

 are a nuisance on the surface, and make them do valuable 

 work as draining material. Slabs of hardwood make 

 excellent drains, and tee-tree saplings, laid so that a passage 

 under them is secured, are effective. Short 

 lengths of tee-tree, so laid that the butt of 

 each may rest on the end of the piece 

 above, answer very well for " weeping 

 drains." In our stiff, clay soils, when once 

 a drain is opened, the opening seldom closes 

 up. Drain pipes require less soil moving Agricultural Drains 



L i i i.u i Filled In. 



than other material, and may be the least 



costly of all. The leading principle of all drains is alike, 



Drain Pipes. 



