486 Irrigation and Drainage 



These men never get into the bottom of the ditch, and 

 yet the tile are laid with great accuracy and turned 

 about with the hook until close fitting joints are secured. 



It is preferred by some to lay the tile by hand, 

 the operator standing on the tile, which are covered 

 with earth 4 to 6 inches deep as rapidly as placed, 

 using the wet clay last thrown out, or some taken 

 from the side of the ditch, which is thoroughly 

 worked in about the tile, care being taken not to get 

 them out of alignment. By whatever method the tile 

 are laid, the greatest care must be observed in secur- 

 ing close joints and in covering them, to see that 

 they do not become displaced. 



The work should begin at the outlet with the lay- 

 ing of the main, and proceed backward to the first 

 lateral, when this should be started and the junction 

 made at once, laying two or three tile of the lateral 

 before proceeding further with the main. If junction 

 tile are not used, the opening through the walls for 

 the connection is made with a small tile pick with a 

 sharp point, and great care should be taken to make 

 a close connection by shaping and fitting both pieces 

 together and covering the joint with stiff clay, well 

 packed about it. 



If for any reason the line of tile is left, as at 

 night or over Sunday, the open upper end should be 

 plugged with a bunch of grass or covered with a 

 board, to prevent dirt being washed into the line in 

 case of rain. When the end of the line is reached, 

 the opening of the last tile should be closed with a 

 brick or stone. 



