The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-06-06

There is a protection Of the soil dur
Ing drought by perfect drainage. but
draining the soil by the use Of tile differs
very much from drainage by dtchlng,
says the agricultural editor Of the Phila-
delphia Record When tiles are placed
IN the ground they have an average
depth of four feet. while the open or
covered ditch may be but two or three
feet deep. The tile drain carries off the
water underneat in this manner. caus-
ing the surplus to go down as deep as
the tile is laid. thus permitting the roots
TO follow also in search OF food. When
the soil is full of water II is in cold
condition. and all that portion not flow
ing from the surface or draining into
bitches sinks down slowly The tile
drain carries off the lower water so
rapidly that the drainage Of the upper
portion becomes a matter Of hours in
stead OF days. As the water below the
soil passes down into the drain tiles the
air and warmth enters. the soil being
made warmer. and more friable in tex
ture. permitting OF being plowed earlier
and gives greater capacity to the roots
OF the plants for dissolving the plant
food in the soil.
Drained soil Affords Moisture.
UNFRAMED soil may apparently be dry
and friable near the surface. even below
the depth Of the plow, but the subsoil
may b. cold. wet and clammy. When
the roots Of plants resch this subson
the cold encountered and the slow chem
zeal reaction If the atoms offer no in
ducement to the roots to seek nourish-
ment. but when this cold water is carried
down and the soil is warmed and be-
comes friahle there is such an increase
in depth Of root. with greater expanse.
as 10 permit the plants to secure mois-
ture during seasons Of drought. as the
roots are able 10 go 10 whatever depth
the tile may be placed cOmpacted
soil will cause the water 10 flow of on
the surface. but the under-drained soil.
having become friable. has greater capac-
dty OF absorption. and retains moisture
by reason Of the finer division Of its
particles Drought destroys some plants
by cutting off the food supply. there not
being sufficient moisture TO render the
substances soluble. but when the soil
Is underdrained TO the depth of four or
five feet there is not only more moisture
in the lower soil. but from four 10 ten
times the amount Of roots to supply the
plants.
Excessive Moisture.
dered more retentive Of moisture during
drought. the excess during periods OF
saturation (as was the case a few days
ago. is carried of more completely than
my ditching, and with less liability Of
loss by plant food. well as avoiding
ulsightly and incOnvenient bitches. As
the rains pass down they carry nitric
and Carbonic acids. which are solvents
Of the soils, as we'll as ammonia. These
substances are arrested and absorbed
by the soil. and perform valuable serv-
ice in the prepare tons of plant food.
Drainage is a safeguard against wet
soils and an excess Of moisture. there
fore. and keeps the soil warm and facili-
tates termination and growth. The cost
Of tile drainage is no greater than ditch
ing and keeping the open drains clean
and in repair while the gain in earliness
Of time Of planting greater ease in pre-
pairing the soil, and protection against
6roughts and freshets cannot well be
estimated.