78 Surface- Drainage of Orchards. 



can run deeply, they are less liable to the accidents of the season from 

 heavy rain-storms or severe drought. The ground being partly shaded by 

 the foliage, evaporation proceeds slowly, keeping pace with capillary at- 

 traction ; and the result is a steady growth, little affected by sudden changes 

 of weather. 



This mode of culture is also advantageous for the winter : for the soil, 

 being free of stagnant water, cannot injure the roots by ice; and, as the 

 roots run deeply, they are somewhat in the condition of forest-tree roots 

 covered with leaves, — a mulching of friable earth. 



The bluff soils {Loess) and sandy soils are not benefited to any great 

 extent ; though some of our quicksands are an exception, or those sands 

 derived from the carboniferous limestones, which are often mixed with 

 finely comminuted clay, and which hold water like a sponge. 



The same system of drainage must prove of great value to a large part 

 of the Southern States ; at least, those that I have visited. Nothing short 

 of the most genial climate could save the crops, that stand for weeks with 

 " wet feet " during the rainy season. During all this time, the garden vege- 

 tables on the hea\y clay lands make slow progress ; which has induced 

 many persons to say that garden vegetables fail to give satisfaction. Now, 

 if such gardens had good drainage, the plants would make wonderful growth 

 during the wet season, as is seen in all soils that are naturally drained. 

 Fruit-trees, especially the apple, are there short-lived ; and no doubt much 

 of it is due to the stagnation of the wet season, just when Nature intended 

 to give them a vigorous start for the trying times that often follow. 



On thin soils, resting on sterile hard-pan subsoil, the apple does poorly; 

 no doubt more from the excess of moisture during certain seasons than from 

 want of a supply of plant-food, which the water locks up for the time being. 

 This has been proved time and again by tile-drains. Our object at this 

 time is to show how a remedy may be applied, that costs no additional 

 muscular and but a small modicum of brain labor. M. L. Duiilap. 



Champaign, III., Dsc 6^ iS68. 



