Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-02-25

bitches deep and narrow in prefer
ence to wide and shallow as we ge
a greater velocity with the same
grade line and we have q ditch thai
: will be more apt to keep itself free
from distractions and one in which
it will be more convenient to connect
laterals. The ideal open ditch would
be one with perpendicular sides since
you would have less fractional area
but this is impossible except in solid
rock excavation. Ordinarily clay
soil will stand with the slope of one
to one while another soil may re-
;qufre slope Of one and half to
one
Grade Line.-The total fall that a
proposed ditch may lave from it's
source to its outlet is fixed by nature
and we must be guided by this fall
in determining what the grade line
shall be and must make our cross
section conform to this grade. 1t is
desirable in a ditch that we have We
locity enough SO THAT it will keep it.
self free and clean and vet not
! enough to make it scour badly.
OutIet.-Tt is certain that we must
have an outlet else our ditch would
be valleless. This outlet must be
large and free from obstruction
and should always be into natural
water course Our streams in the
Red river valley have banks that are
higher than the land one-fourth to
one-hlf mile on either side and sew
eral instances are known where out
lets have been cut through these
hanks with the result that in times
of high water the streams have flow
ed through these artificial outlets
and flooded and destroyed large areas
of crops and the use of dams and
f1ood-water gates requiredVt a large
EXPENSE and constant attendance
during large part Of each crop
season. 1t is better to make your
outlet into the stream through some
natural channel even though it re-
quires a considerable longer ditch.
So we see that these factors: rain
fall, run-off, soil, drainage areas,
cross sections, grade line and outlet
are all intimately connected with the
design and construction of any drain
age system and must be taken into
consideration if we are to make our
work successful.
Another reason for some of this
skepticism concerning drainage in
the valley arises from the fact that
not enough Importance is given to the
necessity of proper maintenance Of
our constructed bitches. |
Our buildings are kept in repair
and our farm machinery is carefully
gone over once year to see that it
Is in working order. but we are very
apt to forget that our drainage sys-
tenn is just as much in need of careful
and systematic repairs as our build
ngs and machinery
1t is unfortunate that we have not
m ore reliable data on the value Of
lie drainage In the valley. Some ex-
oeriments are being conducted by the
experiment. station authorities at
Fargo and in another year they will
probably be able to give us definite
information as to their value and as
o the best method of design to meet
he soil conditions found in the Red
liver valley.
With the tile drainage problem
olved and with proper surface drain
lge systems to provide outlet for the
lie drains, the area o. tillable lands
n the state will not only be increas-
ID but our fertile lands will be made
more productive and the health,
wealth and happiness of our people
greatly enhanced.
Now, at the present time when con-
ervation of our natural resources
md intensive cultivation of our soil
8 receiving so much attention It Is
tut natural that we should give this
natter of more and better drainage
n our state careful consideration.
We have large areas Of alkali lands
hat with proper treatment can be re-
laimed and made productive.
From statistics which have gath
red in my Office concerning the irri-
,able lands and the land that needs
|rainage in the different counties Of
he state, the following summaries
re taken:
Land needing drainage, 3,255,ooo
!cres.
Land now having surface drainage
ystems, $4,000 acres.
Land needing irrigation, 1910 900
Icres.
Land now having irrigation systems
1900 acres.
BY irrigable lands I refer to lands
or which we have Il sufficient water
upply for the purpose of improving
hem. Our lands are fast becoming
more valuable and the value of irriga-
ion and drainage for increasing the
Of our land is fast becom.
ng better understood and being put
nto practice.
To those of us who may be called
lpon to assist in the construction OF
ny system or project which may
ave for its object the improvement
# our lands that they may become
more productive, may we always bear
n mind all the factors entering into
he proper solution of the problem
O the end that the best results for
ne material prosperity and happiness
# our fellow man may be obtained.