1920.] 



Farm Drainage Machinery. 



1081 



I. Plougrhs and Scoops. — This class includes the smallest and 

 least expensive type of implement or machine. The main 

 advantage of machines of this class is their low cost ; they meet 

 the requirements of the farmer who has only a small amount 

 of drainage work to do, which he will fit in with the general 

 work of the farm, employing men and a team or tractor when 

 they are not required for other operations. A heavy initial 

 outlay on speedier and, mechanically, more efficient machines, 

 would be clearly false economy for the farmer with only a little 

 drainage w^ork to perform : if such machines are to be employed 

 for his work they will be owned by a contractor or some local 

 authorit}^ 



Fig. I. — The Dawson Ditching Digger (Toronto). 



(a) The Ditching Digger. — Fig. i shows a very simple device 

 used to deepen existing open ditches, and to loosen the 

 soil preparatory to shovelling when excavating trenches 

 for tile drains. The implement is constructed on the lines of 

 a plough, to the beam of which are attached vertical standards 

 with a cutting edge, and a coulter which spHts the ground ahead 

 of these cutting knives. At the end of the knives are fixed 

 spade feet to loosen the earth at the bottom of the trench. 

 The depth of cut is regulated by a shoe at the head. With the 

 exception of a wooden stay the implement is constructed 

 throughout of iron and steel, thus ensuring the maximum 

 strength and stability. The weight of this machine is approxi- 

 mately 180 lb. Two men and two horses are required to work 

 the machine, which costs about £8. 



(h) The Ditching Scoop.~Fig. 2 illustrates an implement 

 known as the ditching scoop. It consists of a heavy U-shaped 



