Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1888-04-14
- -
BENEFITS OF DRAINAGE.



Evaporation is a cooling process.
We are told that people in the East
cool their drinking water by exposing
it TO the hot sun under Il wet blanket.
If water, therefore, is brought through
the ground, instead of being allowed
10 stay on or near its surface, evapora-
ton to a great degree will be stopped.
and the ground will be rendered more
genial to growth. Ground that is not
relieved by drains of its surface water
bakes upon drying. This baking packs
the soil and runs some stiff soils to-
gether in such Il way that the entrance
Of water into such soils is to n great
degree forbidden. Baky ground is in
capable Of receiving water from the
air or the earth beneath; wet and baky
soils will yield but feebly to the pull
yerizing influences of cultivation. The
more finely the soil is pulverized the
more permeable is it to the direct and
indirect nourishing influences of water
and air. Soils saturated with water
will not yield to the Accommodations
necessary to the nourishment of plants.
When we consider that most agricult-
ural plants absorblwater chiefly when
presented as ''capillary' water, OF
simply as ''moisture," we can realize
how the growth of plants is checked
by immersion in water. Water, on IFS
way TO the undcrdrains, carries air
into the soil, and this warmer air
meeting the cooler earth causes con.
densation of moisture, and thus a dew
is formed 'in' the ground. This
dew in n dry ground is much
more beneficial than were il deposited
above ground. Soil rendered warm
and permeablc invites the roots of
plants to a greater depth. These
roots are now placed beyond the con- |
troll of the weather. Well.drained
ground may be likened to Il sponge,
both able to keep water and to absorb |
it from the level of the drains when
ever needed in u dry season. | have
no doubt every one knows something
OF this action, which is beautifully il
ius'rated when water is supplied to
house plants by placing it in the
sauccrs which underlie the pots. Bar
rem, dry hill-sides have been brought
to u high degree of fertility by under.
draining, accompanied by manuring.
Inc How of water. instead of being
cover the ground, is thus caused TO
90 through it, and thus the valuable
fertility is not carried away. The
wanting clemcnt-water-has in such
eases been secured by placing the
drains literally. The drains empty. if
desired, into IN open ditch, which may
be stocked with trout. This state OF
things must not be expected to work
most admirably the first year.. as it
takes some time for the ground TO be-
come sponge-likc, The alternate wet.
ting and drying of the soil will open
s%ubterranean channels in which wato,
may find its way to the drains. This
network of snbterranean channels. mr.
sponge formation, takes time for for.
nation.
IN concluding, let me mention a few
advantages to be reaped from well
aralneu land; time, ease in WORKING
abiiiiy to stand the treading Of ami.
ease of hauling, freedom from
the effects of drought and he,ying
ability to grow larger aud better cror.
Jaile'"ns and careful drainage is Ike
putting money in n bank that n,r.
rom twenty-five per zen 10 one hge.
Tired per cent : Jon. H. Pap,sly
~ y Observer,