The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-07-14
feet, to close allhollows and prevent subss-
auept iyreouIar seftl;np 81 Afterf ,ft;s su,,..&s


quenti irregular, settling. q after this was Vas
done the top sides of the drains were sloped
off about six or eight inchesAthe slops ex-
tending ten or twelve inches below. The
remainder of excayated earth was then
thrown in, which filed the drains and raised
them four or six inches above the surround
ing land, which latter was done for the pur-
pose of allowing fer settling, and preventing
water standing on them after heavy rains
My object for slopng the top sides was as
follows: The earth used for filling any ditch
Will, after drying ard settling, leave the sides
of the ditch, and produce cracks into which
rain-water will penetrate, and be apt to
choke the conduit below with any loose dirt
it may carry with it. b. giving the s'ope,
the EARTH as il shrinks, settles down upon,
and adheres closely to the Sides The time
occupied in procuring materials for filing
the drains, and the digging them, cannot be
accurately stated, as it was done by piece
meal. If poles and brush are close at hand,
the work can be carried on rapidly after the
drains are dug have considerable ditch
ing yet to do, and / shalltry insome portion
of it green pine rails, which / imagine will
prove equally durable, with the advantage of
lying more steady, and being more nearly of
uniform size. On these i shall put green
pine slabs, one foot long, and one or two
inches thick, crosswise-and fill with brush
as before. @F Es& p .Es 1
Covered drains should be constructed
with great caution to render them effactnaL
otherwise time and labor are unproftably
employed. lfproperly done, they will atn-
ply repay the cost, as l can testify, so far as
my work has been tested--the cotton now
growing on the land being vigorous and
healthy, and the land thoroughly relieved of
supcrabundant moisture. / was detained at
home while the work was progressing, and
visited my plantation but once only during
that time. '.a '.'.. 'n'hr9'
instructed my overseer as to the en,odtis
operandt," who, judging from the effect pro-
duced, executed the trust faithfully and ere
ditably. The opportunity presented aim ost
induces ;..n,e to descant upon the subject of
draining generally; but .. t"rbear, as long
articles forbid their being read, and as am
aware that the opinions and suggestions Of
young planters fail to carry with them the
weight, and exert the influence, which those
of more practical and experienced men do.
Want. of thorough drainage is radical de-
feet in Southern agriculture, and it must be
extensively performed before our rich and
extensive river and creek flats can be profit
ably and successfully TILED Health is pro.
NOTED by 1.-THE temperature of the soilis
changed-it2products increased, and its till
age rendered less laborious. Iwill add, in
relation to using green pine poles for cover
ed drains, that Mr.. Ruf1in, whose experience
in their, use extends beyond that of any
farmer or planter in the South, says he had
occasion to take up the poles in one of his
drains after they had been there five years,
and they were perfectly sound If sound at
the expiration of that time, See no reason
why they will not last for fifty years. We
all know they decay rapidly under ordinary
circumstences-b when cut green, the tur-
pentine in them, after exuding q short time,
becomes hardened, seals the pores and pre-
vents the absorption Of water to the extent
that would occur with seasoned materials1 A
This, in connection with their being con
stantly wet when buried, and not sub
to alternate moisture and dryness, renders
them durable. Similar reasons might apply
to othergre materials. Winter, think, is
the proper season for ditcbing, as the earth
is full'of water, and temporary sources alo
absorbed. But, as some locations are too
wet to operate on in inclement weather, il is
proper to mark them out and stake the
,aurse ofthe drains, and perform the work
in summer, after the crop is laid tys orin
autumn, which I think prsfersble.- Cores
pondence of the Soil Of tIe South ~ tia
1tf.E