45G Tea^'sactions of tue America}; Institute. 



Mr. A. B. Crandell. — It is only recently I read, in fact, I frequently 

 see in exchange papers, long pleas for drainage. Our questioner is 

 fortunate in having passed that primary stage, but there are still 

 multitudes of faraiers all over the country, who have yet to be con- 

 vinced that drainage pays even in light, sandy soils. I remember 

 that books have been written, one by George E. \yaring, Jr., devoted 

 entirely to this matter ; so our correspondent will understand how 

 impossible it is, in the time at onr service here, to discuss the subject 

 with any satisfactory fullness. It is to be said, however, in a general 

 way, that by far the best drains are underdrains, and that by far the 

 best underdrains are those constructed with tiles or burnt clay pipes. 

 The first form of those used was that called the horse-shoe tile, which 

 lias the shape of an arch, leaving the unprotected ground for the 

 water to flow over. This was superceded by the round pipe and the 

 sole tile. Experience in both public and private works in this coun- 

 try, and. the cumulative testimony of English and French engineers, 

 have demonstrated, says the authority just named, that the only tile 

 which it is economical to use, is the best that can be found, and that 

 the best, much the best, thus far invented, is the pipe or round tile 

 and collar, and these are unhesitatingly recommended for use in all 

 cases. The usual sizes are one and a quarter inches, two and a quarter 

 inches and three and a half inches in interior diameter. In the 

 selection one must be governed by the quantity of water to be carried 

 away. The common mistake is too large minors and too small mains. 

 One and a fourth inches is generally large enough for minors, unless 

 they are of great length, in which case the latter may be two and 

 a quarter inches. The mains should be able to carry off all the water 

 brought by the minors. And here it is to be remembered that one 

 three inch pipe is equal in capacity to nine one inch pipes ; that is, 

 all the water that can be brought by six half-inch pipes, will be 

 carried off by one three inch pipe. The depth of drains should never, 

 in the Northern States, says Mr. Charles L. Flint, Secretary Board of 

 Agriculture of Mass., be less than three feet, and, if the soil is easily 

 Avorked, four feet ; while in the south where the frosts do not pene- 

 trate the ground, the depth may be lessened to two and a half or 

 three feet. In sandy or light soils four feet is the proper depth. 

 One of the most difficult parts of the operation, is to determine the 

 number and position of the drains. As far as practicable they should 

 run parallel with the inclination of the slope; when laid three feet 

 de^p, they should be forty feet apart, and if deeper, as in lighter 



