Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-10-20
agricultural department.
FARM DRAINAGE.

Under drains are always to be pre-
ferred to open bitches, provided the
drains are large enough to convey all
the surplus water that naturally col
lects in them.
Open bitches are always in the way
of cultivation and the harvesting of
crops, while there is constant call
for labor in keeping them clear. In
soft land the sides of bitches may
cave in and require cleaning out ev-
cry year. Under drains properly
built may remain perfect for an in
definite period. What material to
use in constructing uuder drains is
an important question. Many writ
ers have contended that tiles are on
ly fit to be used, while others believe
that small stones may often be used
for this purpose with advantage. In
some localities we believe stones will
be found useful and profitable. Many
farmers have surplus stones that they
seem to have no other use for. Wet
spots are sometimes helped by having
the surface raised to desirable level.
In such cases 1t often happens that
portion eof the filling may as well be
of stones as of more valuable mate
rial. In making under drains for
conveying running streams, it is of
ten advisable to lay the stones in the
form of a bridge with abutments and
covers, but where the amount of va
ter is very small the stones will some
times afford sufficiently open course
when placed in without regard to
regular water course. Water is con-
stantly running through the earth
under our feet in natural channels
formed of sand or coarse gravel.
When making stone drains it should
be remembered that the great danger
lies in the fine soil from above or at
the sides of the bitches. If this falls
in and fills up the spaces between the
stones the drains may be ruined. To
prevent this, care should be taken to
cover the stones with some material
that will remain in place. Inverted
turfs, old hay or straw, shavings
from planning mills. leaves from
the forest and small brush are all
useful for covering the stones before
hauling in the soil. Tramping the
filling hard is a good practice, also
filling the ditch above the common
level to prevent the first rain from
washing the loose earth into the
stones below.
Most beginners fail by making
their drains too shallow. If the fill
ing be stone, there should be at least
twenty inches of earth above the
stones, and two feet would be still
better. The wider the bitches the
deeper the covering of earth SHOULD
be, to prevent over-drying in the time
of drought. 1t should be remember
ed that it is the bottom of the ditcl
that conveys the water. A filling o
two feet of stones is no better thai
filling of one foot, so long as tn
spaces at the bottom are free from
obstruction. The water that runs il
underdrains comes in mainly at tn
bottom. The soil directly over tn
drains may be made as imperviou
as possible without injuring thei
drainage capacity.
In digging drains II is usually bel
ter to begin at the lower end and di
up hill, so that the water may flo
away below, but the filling should b
begun at the upper end, else heav
shower or storm, occurring befol
the work is completed, may was
so much soil into the drains as to Ell
tirely spoil them. 1t may save a SCI
ond handling of small stones to hay
a drain constantly open for receivir
any surplus, as they are picked L
from the fields, but unless the side
of the bitches are very firm it is III
safe to leave them any great leng
of time, especially in winter or wht
the frost is likely to tear them
pieces.
In many localities the greatest net
of improvement in farm operations
in the direction of drainage. The
ough drainage would warm the Ian
increase the length of the season,
some years double the crop, and fl
quently give all the profit to be 4
rived from cultivation. Thorou
drainage of wet land will ensure
full crop every year.-Neac Engla