Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1891-12-24
THE FARM AND HOME.
A THOROUGH SYSTEM OF UN-
DER DRAINING.
Its Dssirabllity veriaed-Chnra"tsris tics
81 the silver spsngled Hamburg
Farm Notes and Do.nes-
tic Dots.
Drainage.

Ono seasons excessive mOlSturc 10
vealed to many farmers the Importance
OF adopting methods most likely to
relieve their lands OF the superaoun-
dance OF water SO fatal to successful
growth OF the grains and grasses
which are so essential to his financial
prosperity; and. as the social. educa-
tional aud even spiritual enjoyment
OF each member of the family depends
20 largely on favorable results. 1t Is
manifestly evident that a system OF
artificial drainage should receive a
larger share of the farmers attention.
Here in western New YORK, during the
season OF 1890. thousands OF acres,
after having been planted. produced
barely sufficient to pay Tor the
seed and the labor employed, while In
many instances there were entire fail
ures bringing loss and disappointment
to the burdened and expectant farmer.
As rule. had these lands been thor
oughly or even partially undcrdrained
with suitable tiles running through
tho lowest depressions or water courses
OF the fields, many of the granarles
would have contained sufficient to meet
the demands necessary for the comfort
OF the farmers family. And then, too.
there is no work connected with the
farm that gives the peculiar satisiac-
ton experienced as one realizes that
the once cold. soggy and unproductive
portions OF the farm have become
light and friable. and in condition to
work at an earlier date than much OF
the upland. Like the magician's wand,
it needed only this simple and effect
i've work to enable two blades to be
produced where none were grown
before. While this is verified
during wet season. it applies
with nearly equal force during
seasons of severe drOuth. All
men of experience have observed the
luxuriant growth OF the varied crops
over and on either side OF drains SO
far az their effects extend, during sea-
sons of excessive drouth. 1t is there
fore the more surprising that agricul-
tural writer's of seeming experience
and observation have at such times de-
preciated the practice. arguing in dis
paraging terms that excessive tile
drainage promoted drouth. and that
from this cause to great extent is
attributed the exhaustion and failure
of streams and water courses; that
wells and springs that once afforded
q perennial supply are in conse-
quence also becoming source OF
alarm and serious inconvenience. One
seasons experience however. seems
sufficient to upset a theory OF such ma
ture, and providing there be any truth
attending il, surely the advantages de-
rived as the result OF thorough sys-
tenn Of tile drainage. are more than
sufficient to Offset the extra expense Of
deepening our wells thus obtaining
an abundant supply OF purer and more
healthful water for man and beast than
ever before enjoyed. Happily we
have been spared the past season a
repetition OF the above fallacy. for it is
only during the absence of rain and
continued dry weather that the alarm
Is sounded. Meanwhile farmers OF
experience and forethought will con-
tinue to improve their farms as cir
cumstances and necessities require.
and no work performed will be con-
sidered OF more Importance than a
judicious and thorough system OF tile
nder-drainage. Irving D. Cook. in
the Ohio Farmer.