CHAPTER XVL 

 BENEFITS AND PROFITS OF DRAINAGE. 



The benefits and profits accruing from the drainage 

 of land should be set forth comprehensively when the 

 Court or Board of Commissioners inquires for them 

 during investigation of any drainage project brought 

 before them for consideration. *' The cost of the im- 

 provement must not be greater than the benefit, ' ' is 

 the brief rule set forth in the drainage laws, and is a 

 commercial maxim which is recognized in general 

 business. ** Will it pay .?" is imprinted upon the initial 

 page of every business undertaking, not in pleasure and 

 satisfaction, but in dollars and cents. 



Some of the benefits and resulting profits of the work 

 under consideration may here be enumerated as sug- 

 gestive rather than carried out in detail. 



Firmness and Fineness of SoiL— One of the changes 

 produced by relieving the ground of surplus water at 

 once noticeable is its increased firmness. The excess 

 of water recedes from the surface and takes its place 

 lower in the soil, soon leaving a firm surface which can 

 be passed over by teams or live stock without injuring 

 the texture or destroying the smoothness of the sur- 

 face. Not only does this facilitate the culture and 

 management of land, but the travelling public get ben- 

 efit and profit by reason of better roads which result 



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