56 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



to Open drains along their highest side, on the exterior of the 

 boundary fence, to cut off the possibihty of its entering into 

 the ground, which, were it permitted to do, the consequences 

 would be fatal to many of the smaller crops, by washing a 

 great portion of earthy matter over them, and repeated inundat- 

 ions of this kind would ultimately carry off the greater and 

 better portion of the soil from the most elevated parts, and 

 deposit it in those parts, which are lower. 



As these floods are generally confined to the surface-drains 

 for their reception, they need not be deep, provided that they 

 be regularly cleared of filth, which will naturally accumulate 

 in them. But as this is a matter not always attended to, it is 

 better to make them of a considerable depth in the first in- 

 stance, say from three to four feet, according to local circum- 

 stances. Where land-floods are not apprehended, it also be- 

 comes necessary in many instances, where the declivity is great, 

 or the situation placed at the bottom of rising grounds, to 

 make considerable drains for the purpose of cutting off the 

 quantity of water, which naturally flows from them. For this 

 latter purpose, it is requisite they should be cut to a much 

 greater depth, in order the better to intercept the water, as it 

 flows through the strata, which, in many cases, are several 

 feet below the surface. Unless such drains are sunk below the 

 channels through which the water flows, little good can be 

 expected to arise from them. Deep open drains are object- 

 ionable, inasmuch as they occupy a considerable space of 

 ground, which is thereby rendered almost useless ; still, for 

 this and similar purposes, they have a decided advantage over 

 those, that are filled up even with good materials, by cutting 

 off more effectually the flow of water. Drains for this purpose 

 might be readily constructed so as to answer both purposes, by 

 filling up the bottom part of them, as already recommended for 

 principal or main drains, and leaving the upper half in form of 

 an open drain, sloping the banks back to prevent their fall- 

 ing in. 



Willows and dwarf trees or shrubs may be advantageously 

 planted on their banks, and would soon hide them, where that 

 is deemed necessary. The depth to which drains should be 

 cut depends in all cases on the nature of the soil, the depth of 



