43 



inches high is raked together along the line of trench to throw off 

 heavy storm-water, which might carry away the freshly-dug earth 

 in such places where a slope occurs. Blackboys, and more 

 especially grass trees, on account of the resinous matter which is 

 contained in their scales, last a great number of years. Other 

 material as well may be used, such as branches and stems of 

 ti-tree or of jamwood, which stand a long time in the wet ground 

 without rotting, are Very suitable material. A box drain, four to 

 six inches square, and constructed of jarrah board, and bored with 

 holes made with an auger, would answer admirably. Rubble 

 drains, where stone is available, are cheaply made, and very 



effective. In this method the drains are cut out in the bottom 

 much wider than in pipe- making, so as to admit of two side walls 

 of stone with a space between them. These side!walls are built 

 of narrow stones to a height of four to six inches, and flat covering 

 stones, occupying the whole width of the drain, rest upon them. 

 If well done, this method of draining may be taken as almost as 

 permanent as pipe draining; its chief objection being that it does 

 not exclude such vermin as rats, rabbits, etc., and these mischievous 

 animals soon choke up the drains by scratching soil in them. 



Round tiles are in great favour in cultivated fields, but 

 orchard I have seen instances where they utterly failed 

 the purpose they were laid down for. Forest, hedge row, and fruit 

 trees alike all seem to direct their roots towards the underground 

 pipes where wa-jCi and air freely* circulate, and in many instances 

 penetrate and stop up the drain as effectually as if a tow mop had 

 been crammed inside. The failure of a single tile will cause much 

 mischief. For this reason, I feel diffident in recommending the use 

 of draining tiles in the orchard. This system of draining is also 

 costly, and cannot systematically be done under 7 to <10 per 

 acre in this State, where both pipes and labour are costly. These 

 pipes measure 12 inches in length, and vary from 1| inches to 12 

 inches inside diameter. For short distances suitable pipes are two 

 inch to two and a-half inch ones near the sources ; for distances, 

 say, over 100 yards, they should be increased near the mouth to 

 three inches. Main drains require pipes four to twelve inches in 



