224 SOILS 



DIGGING THE DITCH 



The largest expense of establishing a system of 

 under-drainage is in moving the soil. Many steam 

 and horse-power machines have been invented for 

 doing this work, but most of it is still done by hand. 

 Most of the machines require more power than can 

 ordinarily be furnished conveniently; but some, 

 that are designed merely to loosen the surface, are 

 very serviceable. If a large area is to be drained 

 it will be economy to hire men who have had expe- 

 rience in the business, when they can be had. 



In order that no more soil may be moved than is 

 absolutely necessary, it is customary to stretch a 

 stout line 4 or 5 inches back from where one side 

 of the ditch should be and cut true to the line. The 

 width of the ditch on the surface need not exceed 20 

 inches, even for large mains, and 12 or 15 inches is 

 ample for lateral drains. Beginners always dig 

 ditches wider than is necessary. The ditches 

 should taper downward evenly, being but 4 or 5 

 inches wide on the bottom, if 3-inch tiles are to be 

 laid. In case the drains are laid more than 4 feet 

 deep it may be necessary to make them a few inches 

 wider. 



The surface soil may be partly moved with a 

 plow if it is not very heavy or very stony. After 

 the line is stretched a very deep furrow is turned 

 with an ordinary plow, which may then be followed 

 by a trenching plow, or another furrow may be 

 turned with a landside plow. Part of the soil is 

 thus moved out, and part is so loosened that it is 

 handled easier. The trench is then finished with 

 a spade. Many, however, prefer to open the 

 entire ditch with a spade. An ordinary spade 

 answers the purpose for a small job, but a ditching 



