Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-06-17

washing which continually takes place on
the surface of undrained land. The water
flowing over such soils carries the finer and
best materials CT the soil matter with 1t,
only to deposit them in some gulch and out
of the reach OF man for generations to
come. In our Californian valleys We do
not notice this wash, but one need only to
Glance at the hillsides to see the gullies
and gulches which have been worn by the
descending waters. Often we see whole
hillsides that are denuded of soil, present
log only white and barren aspect, and in
tine spring hardly furnishing grass for the
wild game for a few weeks. In the
older States, and especially in the
billy sections of the South, the most
deplorable results have followed the
combined actions of the water and the
shiftlessness of the planter. The soils were
plowed as shallow as possible and often up
and down hill, so that the securing effects
were doubly disastrous. BY a few years
OF such practices the soils of the hillside
have been transferred to the lowlands be-
low, which were surfeited with alluvium,
while the hillsides were left as unpro-
ductive of vegetation as a granite quarry.
T. The general tillibility of soil is imme-
diately improved by under drainage, and
it increases with time until the maximum
degree Of filth has been secured. The
water, passing through the soil, exerts a
pulverizipg and disintegrating effect upon
the soil particles, and Is thus continually
adding to the resources of the soil. In the
absence Of water, roots penetrate as far as
the physical character of the soil will al
low, and in their ramifications and final
decay benefit the soil to a degree corre-
spending to the tilth of the soil. One
would hardly expect that extremely heaTy
clay soils would be benefited by under
drainage, fer such soils often retain water
in hollows in their surfaces until 1t Is re-
moved by evaporation. But even such
soils, when BY Scientifically drained, will, In
two or three seasons, become pervious to
the water, finely divided, and mechanically
almost as light as alluvial soils. The eff
fects are, of course, not immediate, but
they begin at once and continue unlnter-
ruptedly until every foot OF soil
BETWEEN THE DRAINS
Has lost its adhesiveness and Elasticity,
and has become easily permeable to liquid
water Clay soils, when once drained, are
effectively improved as long as the drains
operate and ss they ore, of all soils, the
most end turing and productive, they will
best repay the heavy expense attending
thorough and scientific drainage. Drain
age, lining and perseverance will subju-
gate the most refractory OF clay soils, ard
in the end will amply repay any reasonable
expenses. s. In addition TO the pecuniery
benefits arising from drainage, the effect
upon health must not be overlooked.
"Staguant water breeds disease" is an old
proverb, and the truth of which cannot be
contradicted. The germs OF disease can
only be produced in still water that has
been exposed for some time to the sun and
air. Even now the people of the
inundated Mississippi bottoms are
suffering from the malaria &C.
oompan Jing the evaporation OF the
stagnant water left by the spring floods.
During the high water the call OF the
unfortunate inhabitants was for succor
from drowning and starvation; now it is
to be relieved from the miasma of the dry
ing and filthy water pools. They were
supplied with bread, but the Government
is powerless to supply them with health.
Localities in our own State are known as
feTer.and-ague districts; and ii anyone
will take the trouble to inquire, they will
those sections of the valleys whose oceu-
pants are either unable or too improvident
to provide drains for the carrying of of
the water and the abatement of the source
Of malaria. The increased malaria of the
valley can be traced directly
to the obstruction of the natural drainsge
by the debris sent down from the hydraulic
mines.
WE MAY SUM UP
The most important effects of under-drain-
age as follows 1t removes the surface
water of the soil, thus hindering the forma-
ton OF a crust over it surface it allows
the soil to become warm, and hence facili.
tates early planting; it deepens the soil,
and by SO doing makes available more plant
food it increases the resistance to drought /;
renders less cultivation necessary lessons
the dependence on the peculiarities of the
season it insures greater productiveness,
and exerts very beneficial effect upon the
general health OF the residents. By caus-
ing the water to flow through the soil the
inorganic nutritive matters washed from
the atmosphere by the rain.water are
largely fixed and retained in the soil for
the use of the ensuing years crop. The
washing away of the substance OF the soil
is prevented, and the tillibility of the
soil is permanently improved. Drainage
may be truly regarded as the balance in
the scale which decides whether or no We
will be subject to ague or other miasmatic
affections, and as such alone deserves the
prompt atts ntion of every property-owner
in the community. OF the various methods
and materials used in systematic drainage
and of the details of laying drains we shall
not attempt to speak. II one knows no
other way, improved results will be OBJ
tanned by opening burrows with plow /;
bu. the energetic and thorough man may
find a fruitful source Of material in the
drainage aud irrigation tile, which are now
SO cheaply manufactured even in Califor-
mia.