160 ("Assembly 



Great care should be taken to insure that the tiles are properly 

 hardened in burning. We now test all that are sent from the 

 factory. In cases of doubt, dip the tile several times in water, 

 and allow them to dry ; if they stand this, they may be laid with 

 safety. 



With regard to the depth at which the drain should be laid, 

 opinions are divided. If the top thirty inches of soil can be 

 cleared of superfluous water, the crops will be safe, but three feet 

 may be recommended as a good average depth, and the ordinary 

 drains, leading to the main drain, should be from fifteen to thirty 

 feet apart. The main drain should be dug first, and deeper, and 

 larger than the others, (for which we have, tiles up to 6 inches 

 diameter,) allowing the others to slope into it at the least possi- 

 ble inclination, and the main drain must also slope to the outlet, 

 where the water may be made available for cattle, artificial ponds, 

 or ornamental purposes. In digging the trench, the top soil 

 should be laid on one side, the subsoil on the other, so that in 

 returning it, there may be no inequality of the land. The trench 

 should be as narrow as it is possible for a man to work in. Lay 

 the tiles moderately close together, and over each joint place a 

 sod, which prevents any dirt getting into the drain, then return 

 the soil and the labor is completed. 



It is an error to suppose there is any land that would not be 

 materially benefited by draining, and every garden would derive 

 benefit from a proper system of drainage. How often do valua- 

 ble fruit trees, without apparent cause, become unhealthy, or die, 

 Is it not that the roots have penetrated to where the water, 

 (which should have been drained ofi",) has become stagnant and 

 impure ? 



I need not remind you how much is thought of this subject, in 

 England, where there are companies formed who drain farms for 

 those who are unable to make the outlay, taking for remunera- 

 tion, a portion of the extra produce for a limited period^ and from 

 this are realizing a handsome profit. In conclusion, I would state, 

 that the Staten Island Drainage Tile Company has been estab- 

 lished to supply drain tiles of the best construction, at tlio lowest 



