Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-06-14
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD.
Advantages of Draining.

II
Advantages of Draining.
In q recent course of lectures deliv-
the University, DIR. Gregory, we find
the following, as given by the Prairie
Farmer:
In the evening, Prof Shattuck lect-
ured on draining. He said the adj
vantages of draining consist not only
in removing water from the surface of
grounds, but to q considerable depth
beloV, so that the air and other ele-
ments may be more freely admitted
through the soil, by which means it
because better pulverized and prepared
to feed and sustain growing plants.
When thorough draining was effected
to the depth of three or four feet, an
increase of heat, often as much fif-
teen degrees, would be secured. On
such grounds the combined action of
sunlight and greater porosity of soil
will cause them to yield three inches in
dew, thereby, to a considerable extent,
protecting plants during protracted
drouth, as well as from an excess of
water after heavy rains.
would often prove sufficient after corn
is planted to insure termination, for
corn would terminate in well drained
soil at fifty-fve; while in similar soil,
undrained, the temperature might re-
main below forty-fve, when the corn
would soon rot. By laising the tenn
perature, then, ten degrees, which would
be the sure result in wet soils after
draining, whole fields might be saved,
which otherwise would be lost.
1t was further argued that when the
crops appeared uneven in different parts
of the-feld or dry up and shrivel in a
moderate droth, it indicated lack of
drainage. The theory was also adj
vanced that underdrainage increases
the healthfulness IF our homes and
greatly lessons the attacks of ague and
malariOus diseases that it has been
ascertained by carefully collected sta
t1stlcs that consumption decreases two
thirds by thorough and systematic
drainage of country formerly wet
The cost of draining an acre with
two-inch tile put down four feet deep
In bitches forty feet apart, will be
about fifty dollars. would use three,
four, or even larger tile, according to
the quantity of water to be conveyed
away. Two-inch tile laid four feet
deep and forty feet apart, in a ditch
one hundred and thirty-two rods long,
would be ample to carry off all excess
from subsolls not springy. Round
tiles are best, because of the greater
ease In laying and making better Joints
sheIterIng Orchards.
Among late topics introduced in
some OF our agricultural and horticul-
tural contemporaries, is that orchards,
to make them productive, must be
sheltered on at least two sides from
the cold blasts of winter. This shelter
is to consist of hedges of evergreen
trees, and be of sufficient height and
density to make. a secure defence.
The thing, in our judgement, is a
fallacy. Instead of proving advanta-
geous to an orchard, we believe a
hedge, or protection of any kind, would
be positive injury. Apple orchards
planted IN valleys and southern expos
ures will not as arule be healthy or yield
crops at all compared to orchards
planted in elevated positions, opened
to the wind from every quarter In
deed, If we were about to set out an
orchard to-day, we should select high
northern exposure. All our experience
and observation go to show such a posi-
ton to be the best. Those about set
ting cut orchards this spring should
avoid what they would be likely to find
serious error. It is notorious fact
that even in Maine and other extremely
cold States, northern exposures are
selected for apple orchards, where they
stand the severity of the climate much
better than in valleys, or where they
have southern exposures or are shelter
ed. A Maine farmer says, "Were [ to
plant an orchard and had two locations,
one valley surrounded by hills ex.
cept on the south side, and the other a
high elevation exposed to the cold
winds, | would choose the latter in
preference to the former" The same
holds good as it regards peach orchards.
A great object is to keep back the
blooming as long as possible, and this
can best be done in northern exposures,
without shelter
This we think will be found to be
the experinece in the Middle, Northern
and Eastern States, of many observing
apple-growers. There may be some
exceptions is is true, but they are only
the exceptions to this rule German
toe07e Telegraph.