LAND DRAINAGE PRACTICE. 4/ 



where considerations of economy and efficiency may 

 suggest their appropriateness. It is safe to say that 

 there is no tract of land requiring drainage to which 

 some of them will not apply. Much will be saved in 

 outlay and gained in efficiency by carefully adapting 

 the system to the particular tract to be treated. 



Principles to be used in Locating Drains. 



"Lay mains in the line of natural drainage. There 

 are but few tracts of land that do not have some natural 

 surface drainage, or places where the water gathers and 

 in flood-time flows off. It is also true that, as a rule, 

 the direction of the water of the soil is towards such 

 places, and in order to intercept it and carry it away 

 the main should be located there. As has been stated, 

 we must, if possible, work in the line of natural drain- 

 age if we expect to obtain efficiency of work and econ- 

 omy in construction. If we consider the drainage of 

 some distant point or tract without reference to benefit- 

 ing land along the line by which it may be reached by 

 a drain, then the question hinges upon the difference 

 in cost of the line by way of some near cut, and the 

 more circuitous and natural route. The shortest and 

 straightest drain is the best provided it does the desired 

 work as well. It is usually the case that the line of 

 natural drainage may be straightened by short cuts 

 here and there, making the drain less expensive and 

 more efficient, without impairing its value as a drain in 

 the natural course. It should be said in this connec- 

 tion that there are many flats, ponds, basins, etc., 

 which can be more economically reached by a main 



