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way better than tlie old horseshoe. Two inch is nsually large 

 enough for the laterals, and for the upper ends of the mains ; 

 towards the outlet it is well to use larger tile, according to the 

 amount of water that will naturally flow through them. 



After the ditches, or a certain portion of them, are com- 

 pleted, the sooner the tile is laid the better. Always com. 

 mence at the upper end ; put a flat stone or half brick against 

 the upper tile, and press it firmly against the bank. Make as 

 close a joint as possible every time, which can be done by 

 turning the tile, or trying another, until there is a close fit. 

 In regard to covering the joints, it may not be necessary in 

 some soils, but I find sand and fine mud are always working 

 in, as can be seen at the outlet, after a heavy rain ; so I should 

 always cover the joint. Most people use common tarred paper, 

 others, tea chest lead, etc., but from a hint from our friend Gre- 

 gory, that tarred paper would only last a very few years, under 

 ground, but that leather was " almost indestructible," I pro- 

 cured from a belting shop, leather enough for $1.-50, at 5 cents 

 per lb., to cover my 1800 feet of tile, and have some left ; and 

 as time is very precious when one is " down in the ditch," I 

 would have my leather all cut beforehand, to the exact size, 

 viz., 2 inches wide and 7| inches long for 2 inch tile, 11 inch- 

 es long for o inch tile, IS inches long for 4 inch tile, etc 

 Two inches is wide enough for all. This size will completely 

 cover the joint, reaching to the ground on both sides. Then 

 with your strip of leather in an old pan on one side of the 

 ditch, and the tile placed on the other side, on the very edge, — 

 standing in the ditch, holding the leather firmly over the joint 

 with both hands, you are ready to have a careful man, standing 

 on the tile already laid, pass you fine gravel or sand, to be 

 worked under and around the tile, while you keep the leather 

 in place, and see that the dirt is put in evenly on both sides. 



While you are fitting the next tile, the man can press the 

 dirt very firmly with the edges of his boots, one on each side, 

 at the same time ; then with two or three inches more of fine 



