112 SCHOOL AND HOME GARDENING 



naturally. In contrast witli these there are others which must 

 be ilraiued artificially. This may be done by ( 1 ) open ditches ; 



(2) blind ditches, partially filled with stone, rails or other 

 material and then covered with soil; (3) tile drains, the tile 

 being properly laid in the bottom of the ditch and then covered 

 with soil. 



Covered Drains. — There are a number of obvious reasons 

 for having drains covered instead of leaving the ditches open : 

 (1) There is no waste area occupied by the drain. (2) It is 

 much more convenient in crossing from one place to another. 



(3) It drains the soil better. (4) It is more permanent, as 

 the sides of open ditches cave in and fill up. (5) Xo weed 

 strip is left on the place. 



Installing Drains. — The value of underdrains depends 

 upon the free passage of water, and care must be taken to 

 install them so that no sediment will form in the pipes. A 

 good uniform fall is desired and the drains must not be placed 

 so deep as to not quickly receive the water after heavy rains. 

 For special instructions regarding the installation of drains 

 the student is referred to U. S. Farmers' Bulletin 187, 

 " Drainage of Farm Lands." 



Cost of Drainage. — The actual cost in money and labor 

 for the installation of a system of drains is much less than 

 the beginner is apt to think. The benefits deri\-ed from the 

 place which needs draining are usually much greater than the 

 cost, and the increased returns in one or two seasons "will 

 more than cover the cost. The questions for consideration 

 are : Does the place really need drainage ? Can it be drained ? 

 Will the crops be much increased, or can crops that are more 

 profitable be grown as a result of the drainage? What will 

 be the total cost? Any one carefully answering all these 

 questions about his place will need to give it enough considera- 

 tion to determine whether the drainage will pay or not. 



