40 



And now, gentlemen, we bid you good-day, hoping you have 

 had a pleasant ride, and that the two specimens of the practical 

 benefits of underdraining which we have had the pleasure of show- 

 ing to you will cause you to investigate the matter still farther for 

 yourselves, and that the Committee on this subject will ere long 

 be called upon to examine some improvements of your own making. 



We feel unAvilUng to close this report without adding one sug- 

 gestion in regard to the commencement of experiments in under- 

 draining. We have learned, by observation, and some of us by 

 dear-bought experience, that a considerable portion of the money 

 and labor expended in these improvements has frequently been 

 misapplied. In one instance, the whole experiment failed in con- 

 sequence of the want of a good outlet. In several instances more 

 rods of drain have been constructed than were necessary, provided 

 they, had been in the right place and in the right direction. 

 These partial failures, and others which might be mentioned, may 

 be avoided in future by a little more forethought. Underdraining, 

 if judiciously planned and thoroughly executed, is an improvement 

 that is intended to be jJ&^'manent, therefore it is all the more proper 

 to take time to consider and measure and level, and, if necessary, 

 obtain the assistance of others Avho have had more experience in 

 the business. In short, take time to get the ver^/ best plan in the 

 commencement, and, rest assured, it Avill prove the cheapest in 

 the end. 



We award to H. L. Stone of Grantville, the first premium 

 of $10. 



To W. T. G. Morton of Needham, second premium of $5. 



In behalf of the Committee, 



STEPHEN W. RICHARDSON, Chairman. 

 Franklin^ Bee. 1, 18G2. 



STATEMENT OF H. L. STONE. 



During the past two years I have laid on upland twenty-six 

 rods, and on low or meadow land fifty-two rods — forty rods of two 

 and three inch tile, thirty-four rods of stone or culvert drain, and 

 four rods formed by digging the required depth, (in my case four 

 feet,) and then excavating a channel in the centre of the bottom 

 of the ditch, four inches wide and same depth, and covering with 

 roofing slate laid on the bottom of the ditch. These slates, taken 

 from old buildings, can be obtained in Boston at $1 per hundred, 

 and covering, as they do, from fifteen to eighteen inches, form the 

 cheapest drain that can be built. My slate drain has been in 

 operation five months, and is eifectual. I can see no reason Avhy 

 this kind of drain, in a subsoil of average tenacity, should not be 



