no ENGINEERING FOR LAND DRAINAGE. 



sand. Second, lay the drain as far into the treacherous 

 soil as can be done safely, and then stop the work for 

 a time until the water drains out to some extent and 

 then proceed. It may take a month or more to pass 

 through a bad place, but it will be safer and cheaper 

 than to attempt to force through by the use of sheeting 

 or boxing. As an aid to the solidifying of the mass so 

 that it can be worked, temporary drains may be laid 

 as far as possible and above grade in order to more 

 rapidly draw off the surplus water. 



To prevent the sand from entering the joints of the 

 tile either tarred paper or coarse hay or grass placed 

 closely about the joints has served the purpose, care 

 being taken in all cases to lay the tile closely together. 

 It is highly important in handling quicksand that the 

 workmen should not disturb the material more than is 

 absolutely necessary. Each shovelful should be lifted 

 carefully and without moving the adjoining sand. 

 When once worked up into a thin mortar it cannot be 

 handled except by baling. 



Cleaning Tile Drains. — Notwithstanding that all 

 possible care has been taken to prevent mud and sand 

 from entering tiles during the construction of the drain, 

 it frequently occurs that they will be found more or 

 less obstructed from this cause. If the tiles are in the 

 required position, and are all right with the exception 

 of the obstruction, do not disturb them, but clean out 

 the mud or sand by the following plan : Remove the 

 earth from 3 feet of the drain at intervals of about 20 

 feet. Remove these 3 feet of tile and take out all 

 of the material that can be reached. Tie up a bundle 

 of straw in a sack of such size that it will nearly fill 



