180 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [L Ava., 1899. 
began to break out on different parts of the plantation. In one patch alone over 10 
acres died out altogether, and in other cases where there had been good crops 0 
“Plant” and “1st Ratoon” the next ‘‘ Ratoons” were far from satisfactory. Under 
such circumstances, it was evident that some scheme of drainage would have to be 
adopted here also. 
My first experiment on Bingera was (as I have said before) with slab drains. 
On the 10-acre block I put in 15 drains, at a distance of 45 feet apart; the land was 
then worked up into good condition, and afterwards planted with good healthy plants. 
The result exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and was, in fact, quite a surprise 
to us. It turned out a splendid block of cane, and we became convinced that it would 
pay to drain all the wet ieeaey But as we were committing ourselves to a scheme 0 
drainage on a scale of much greater magnitude than had been practised_hitherto, we 
thought it would be preferable to use drain pipes instead of wood. We called for 
tenders for tiles to be made on the plantation. The contract was let to two men who 
thoroughly understood the work; we erected the necessary machinery, and a system 
of drainage was initiated that is being constantly added to as circumstances suggest; 
and that m return has succeeded in coaxing from the soil an increased yield of crop 
with each following year. 
T have here a sketch plan of the estate, which shows that drainage on Bingera has 
been worked out on a scheme as complete as possible. The arrangement of the 
connecting main drains has been the subject of much thought. Many minor (but none 
the less important) details, too numerous to mention just now, varying much according 
to the nature of the soil and the contour of the land, have to be taken into consideration 
in determining the direction, distance apart, depth, and fall of the smaller branch 
drains that flow into the larger mains. The tendency of the tiles in loamy soils to 
become choked up with silt has to be guarded against. The size of the tile to be 
employed depends in a very great measure on the work required of it. In such matters 
circumstances very materially alter cases. ile-draining is costly work and requires 
close supervision. A golden rule is to avoid undue outlay without impairing the 
efficiency of the scheme. 
The worst laid tile in a drain is the standard of that drain’s capacity for work, 
therefore it must be apparent to all what extreme necessity there is for close and rigi 
inspection of every single tile laid before the drainer is allowed to fill in the drain. 
Whilst personally supervising the work on Bingera, I employed a surveyor to peg out 
the drains, check the levels, and map out the work as completed. A faithful record of 
the work done is necessary for reference when making repairs or additions, so as t0 
save time and labour. 
On Bingera Plantation the main open drains are put down at a depth of from 3 0 
4 feet at a distance of 20 chains apart. The tile drains are put down at a depth of from 
2to3feet. Where practicable, thee are set out at right angles to the main drains, ani 
where possible are so laid as to discharge from the centre both ways into open mains 
at either end. . : 
The tiles are distributed over the field at a cost of 6d. perchain. They are dropped 
along the drain from a dray. 
The cost of draining on Bingera, where we have red volcanic soil, is as follows :— 
For 2-inch Tiles (at per chain). 
s. d 
Digging 2 feet 6 inches deep... so} ce 0 26 
Grading, laying, and filling-in 7H $f: (ey ab te) 
Carting and distributing tiles along drain 0 0 6 
Cost of tiles co és re 0 3 0 
Total on (ay 7) 
; For the 3-inch Tiles. 
All items are the same as for the 2-inch, except the extra price of the tiles. 
For the 4-inch Tiles. 
Digging to a depth of 3 feet is 3s. per chain. 
For 6-inch Tiles. 
Digging is 3s. 6d. per chain. j 
The laying and filling-in of the 4-inch and 6-inch.tiles costs very little more than for 
the 2-inch or 3-inch tiles. We have given up making tiles on the plantation for some 
time now, our present supplies being drawn from Bundaberg, the price being 
satisfactory. 
