Truck Gardening of Western New York 1231 



two weeks later than in the more inland section, due to the 

 influence of the cold winds from Lake Erie. The prevailing winds 

 come from the west and bring abundant snows and rainfall dur- 

 ing the late winter and early spring, but the summers are often dry. 



NEED AND METHOD OF DRAINAGE 



The drainage for the most part is naturally poor and nearly 

 every farm has more or less tile drain. About 1,500 feet of tile 

 to the acre is required. It is placed on an average of three and 

 one-half feet below the surface, although I know of one instance 

 where a tile was laid fifteen feet in order to get through a knoll 

 and drain a hollow spot. Glazed tile, seldom over four inches in 

 diameter, are used. They are given a fall of not less than one 

 inch to a hundred feet and are interspersed with numerous silt 

 basins. Experience has proven that tile laid more than ten or 

 twelve feet apart, if three and one-half feet deep, are not effective 

 quickly enough to save the delicate root systems of the leafy 

 vegetables. 



In many instances it was necessary for several farmers to 

 cooperate and join main tile to secure outlets for the water. In 

 a few cases part of the farm has a gravelly subsoil and part a 

 hardpan. In such farms the clays are drained by leading a tile 

 to the gravel and allowing the water to drain away in that manner. 

 In a few cases quicksand was encountered. Here a concrete 

 bottom was made before laying the tile. 



About 85 per cent, of the farmers have tiled to some extent, 

 while 30 per cent, have a complete system of tile drainage. The 

 natural system rather than the gridiron system has been adopted. 



MANURE AND METHODS OF HANDLING 



These farmers secure their manure from the Buffalo stables 

 drawing two or even three loads each week. Sometimes two 

 farmers cooperatively contract to keep a stable clean by drawing 

 a load each day. Enormous quantities of manure are used and 

 sometimes it seems impossible to plow it under. The manure is 

 made from shavings instead of straw bedding and in the case of 

 the breweries it contains many hops. Both of these tend to sour 

 the soil. 



