9 
DRAINAGE (PIPES). 
This is rather a comprehensive subject, and one that cannot be treated 
lightly, and these notes should only be used as a base upon which to formulate 
a scheme to suit the particular case under consideration, as it is quite impossible 
to make hard-and-fast rules to suit all situations and formations of soils. Land 
drain pipes are perhaps the most popular for draining a lawn, and these should 
be laid in herring-bone formation, using 4-in. piping for the main drain, and 
2 to 3 in. for the subsidiary drains. The pipes should be laid in trenches from 
18 to 24 ins. deep, the subsidiary drains being about 10 to 15 ft. apart, and 
entering the main drain at an angle of over 45 degrees, so as not to arrest 
the flow of the water. It is advisable to set the joints in cement in the vicinity 
of shrubs or trees, otherwise their roots will enter the drain and possibly choke 
it; also partly to fill the trenches with clinkers or other porous material, as 
this will be found to increase the effectiveness of the drain, especially in clayey 
land. The depth of the drain, the size of pipes, and distance apart, being 
entirely dependent upon the character of the soil and general local conditions, 
must be decided by the person doing the work. Draining by means of pipes 
should be completed several months before any attempt is made to sow grass 
seed, as the soil in the trenches is bound to sink to a certain extent, and unless 
this can be corrected before the lawn is finished it is likely to give an unsightly 
appearance. 
DRAINAGE (SHAFT). 
Another and very effective way of draining a small lawn is to sink a vertical 
shaft about 4 ft. square in the centre of a level lawn, or at the lowest part 
of an uneven lawn or putting green, with the object of penetrating, if possible, 
into a porous stratum. Here local knowledge must again come into play. Generally 
speaking, one is pretty sure to strike something suitable at a depth of 10 or 15 ft. 
Fill the shaft with large stones or clinkers, building them in carefully and firmly, 
so as to leave as much room as possible for the water. From the shaft to the 
outskirts of the lawn cut four more trenches, being 12 to 15 ins. deep at the 
extreme end, about 2 ft. 6 ins. at the shaft end. In these lay 3-in. drain 
pipes, taking care to protect the shaft ends with large stones. Fill up the 
trenches and the top of the shaft with porous soil, and the work is complete. 
In the case of striking heavy clay, an effort should be made to penetrate it; 
but should this prove to be too difficult, make a good deep shaft, fill up the 
bottom with old tin cans, pails, &c., finish off with stones in the above manner. 
A shaft such as this will be found to be fairly effective. 
Only City Address: 53A, Queen Victoria Street, E.C. 
