2 8 Vineyard Culture. 



be had, though in this country, the versatile genius of our 

 people makes them feel competent to meet any emergency, 

 and where no help can be obtained from without the farm or 

 shop, men generally manage to succeed in whatever they un- 

 dertake. 



The inventive genius is also aroused in this direction, and 

 we have already several labor-saving machines to aid in the 

 work of ditching. Among these the mole-plows are found 

 to work admirably, wherever the sub-soil is of a peculiarly 

 adhesive character, so as not to disintegrate readily, and thus 

 silt up the passages. Some lands that have been drained with 

 these implements, for there are several devices of the kind, 

 have continued for many years to reap the beneht of the 

 drainage afforded, and the current of water continued to flow 

 through them. As a mere outlet for the surplus water, the 

 mole-plows are a success, but it is doubtful whether the 

 other benefits of drainage can ever be so well furnished by 

 any means as by the porous burnt-clay tile commonly used. 



Messrs. Moon & Doan, of Wilmington, Ohio, have in- 

 vented a machine to aid in opening the ditches, which, it is 

 said, will lessen the expense by one half. 



This apparatus was exhibited, in model, before the Lake 

 Shore Grape Growers' Society, at their recent meeting at 

 Cleveland. It consists of a strong frame-work, in which is 

 suspended a wheel, armed with cutters on its periphery, that 

 penetrate the soil as the wheel revolves, bringing up a portion 

 of the soil, which is thrust out by a set of plungers, as they 

 approach the summit. The dirt falls off to one side of the 

 ditch. The frame is drawn along, and the wheel made to 

 revolve, by a strong rope, that is wound upon a drum at the 

 end of the ditch, by means of horses or oxen working on a 

 lever.]* 



*For further description of this excellent machine, and cut, see "Klip- 

 part's Land Drainage," p. 230. 



