The San Saba weekly news. (San Saba, Tex.) 18??-1???, 1891-12-11
THE FARM AND HOME.
A THOROUGH SYSTEM OF UN-
DER DRAINING.
IT'S DesirabllIty verihed-CharacterIst
OF the siIver-spangIed Hamburg
-Farn Notes and Domes-
tic Dots .z...-


One seasons excessive moisture re-
vealed to many farmers the Importance
| OF adopting methods most likely to
relieve their lands of the superabun-
dance OF water so fatal to a 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
so largely on favorable results, it is
manifestly evident that n 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 10 pay for 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 sven partially underdrained
with suitable tiles running through
the lowest iepressions or water courses
OF the fields. many of the granaries
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 satisfac-
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 a 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 as their effects extend, during sea
sons of excessive drouth. 1t is there
fore the more surprising that agricul-
tural writers Of seeming experience
and observation have at such times de-
preeiated the practice, arguing in dis
paraging terms that excessive tile
drainage promoted drouth, and that
from this cause to a great extent is
the exhaustion and failure
OF streams and water courses; that
wells and springs that once afforded
d perennial supply are in conse-
quence also becoming 4 source OF
alarm and serious inconvenience. One
experience however. seems
sufficient to upset theory Of such ma
ture and providing there be any truth
attending it surely the advantages de-
rived as the result of a 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
sver before enjoyed. Happily we
nave been spared the past season a
,epetition of the above fallacy. for it is
1nly during the absence of rain and
continued dry weather that the alarm
S sounded. Meanwhile farmers of I
experience and forethought will con-
inue to improve their farms as cir
and necessities require. ;
md no work performed. viii be con- |
idered of more importance than a :
and thorough system OF tile i
Irving D. Cook. in I
he Ohio Farmer ,