"mth Methods for various Soils. 24-9 



top surface of the ground, which remaining space should be 

 filled with rough porous soil, thus rendering it a fit receptacle 

 for the dispersion of water from bottom to top, which I consider 

 of much importance, as it lends to drain the ground much more 

 efFectually. Before the soil is put in, this stonework should be 

 covered with straw, or, what is better, with turf, with the green 

 side downwards, to prevent the soil from subsiding into the 

 crevices among the stones. 



It is necessary to have the mouths of the drains well built, 

 and secured with iron gratings sufficiently close to prevent the 

 ingress of rats and other vermin, as they are found to be de- 

 structive, when burrowing in them ; they should also be exa- 

 mined, and kept in proper repair, and the outlet kept sufficiently 

 clear, so that the water from the drains may run away freely, 

 otherwise it will remain stagnant in them to the great injury of 

 the soil. 



Attention must be paid that they are not carried into the 

 outlet at right angles ; their ends should be turned down in the 

 direction the water runs, for a short space before they join it. 

 This should be attepded to in all cases of one drain discharg- 

 ing itself into another, as it prevents the water in the outlets 

 from depositing any sediment in their mouths, which would be 

 the case were this not attended to ; indeed, it often happens that 

 drains are stopped, and rendered useless, from this precaution 

 beino- neglected. 



Ridge-tiles may be advantageously used for draining, both for 

 removing surface and under water. Spades are made on pur- 

 pose for digging these drains, just wide enough to let the tiles go 

 easily into them. The tiles should be well burnt, as it is found 

 by experience that hard-burnt tiles will last longer than those 

 that are not ; and should be laid on flat tiles, or soles, as they are 

 called, of the same texture, to prevent them from sinking, or 

 otherwise getting out of place. 



By proper management, I consider that tiles may be success- 

 fully used for draining to any depth, and at far less expense 

 than stone; however, where stone is in abundance, 1 should 

 recommend it to be used, as being more durable. I have seen 

 tiles used at the depth of 4 ft. filling 2 ft. above them with 

 loose materials, laying another course upon this, and filling 

 up as before. In all cases where they are used, the space above 

 them should be filled, to within a few inches of the surface, with 

 some loose porous substance, otherwise they will not have the 

 desired effect, namely, drying the soil. 



Rubble drains are well adapted for removing water confined 

 in porous soils with an impervious bottom, and from an alternate 

 stratum of whatever description ; the depth should be propor- 

 tioned to the nature of the soil and subsoil, which should be 

 1840. May. s 



