1 62 SOILS 



and friable. Level lands, that naturally hold all the water 

 that falls as rain, require a more perfect system of drain- 

 age than others that are relieved by surface washing. 



The observing farmer readily will note the fields, or 

 portions of fields, that call for land drainage. As soon as 

 you get the system fixed in mind, start the work ; and then 

 let nothing come in the way that may prevent its com- 

 pletion. 



Depth of drain. The deeper that drains are placed, the 

 larger the surface area they will drain. Judgment will be 

 required in this case. Certainly, tile drains should 

 scarcely, if ever, be placed at a depth of more than five 

 feet four feet, perhaps, being the limit. And there are 

 also but few instances where tiles should be laid at a 

 depth of less than two feet. The height of the outlet, of 

 course, will be an all-controlling factor as to the depth at 

 or near the outlet. 



Roots of growing plants often play havoc with tile 

 drains : by crowding into them to get air and moisture. 

 Of course, they soon fill the drain and completely destroy 

 it. Where tile drains run beneath trees of any kind, it is 

 best to cement the joints, so as to completely prevent 

 roots from gaining entrance. 



In digging the ditch. Complete sets of tools now go 

 with tile draining. When the system has been deter- 

 mined and grade has been established, the next move is to 

 dig the ditch or trench. The spading tool is best for the 

 purpose : follow a line, throw the dirt on the most con- 

 venient side. After the ditch has been dug and the trench 

 made ready for the tile, the bottom should be slightly 

 rounded and thoroughly tested, so as to be on an ab- 

 solutely perfect grade, from two to six inches of fall for 

 every one hundred feet. 



The tiles are now laid, one after another, with closely 



