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near the buildings, where the water is dammed in for a part of 

 the season, by higher land, where the wash and dry leaves 

 have accumulated for years ; such a piece is eminently suited for 

 underdraining. Sometimes by digging and maintaining a 

 large open ditch through this high land, into which other cov- 

 ered ditches might be run, a natural outlet would be formed, 

 and ihus secure the most perfect drainage, at a small expense. 

 This open ditch should be dug quite wide at the top, nar- 

 rowing down gradually to the bottom, and should be looked 

 after every year, keeping it a little deeper than the drains that 

 run into it. Oftentimes for grass, surface drains can be run 

 into this open ditch, made by plowing the land into beds, 

 which will answer a very good purpose ; but for all hoed crops, 

 especially where it is desirable to work the land early — thor- 

 ough underdraining would be advisable, where the land is 

 damp enough to require it. This would apply particularly to 

 land near a good market, where manure can easily be obtained? 

 and extra labor secured if necessary. 



Underdraining cannot now be considered a doubtful experi- 

 ment. Millions of dollars have been spent for this purpose in 

 Europe, and in portions of this country, and still the work 

 goes on. 



As to tlie l)est material to be used, there may be some doubt. 

 Possibly stones may be used to advantage in some locations; 

 or logs of wood with holes I'unning through them lengthwise ; 

 or three strips of boards, nailed together in a triangular form, 

 and covered in the bottom of a ditch, have been known to do 

 good work for many years ; but where tile can be obtained as 

 cheaply as it can in this vicinity, there is no doubt but it is 

 every way the best. 



The writer of this has practised underdraining with tile, on 

 a small scale, for the last twenty years; and though always he 

 has been satisfied with the result, thinks he has learned some- 

 thing every time, and has never before done a better job than 

 the one he has just finished, viz., that of laying with his own 



