The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-11-23
TILE DRAINING OF Low LANDS.

SeVSrdl SedSOuS p1SI ITO ueao u1u uiIu0l AA0
large acreage and, to judge
from all accounts, immense harvests an
nually result. AS an instance, the yield
of alfalfa, native hay, Irish potatoes,
sugar beets, and even carrots and other
root crops are referred to as so many tons
not bushels, bales, etc. Stock raising
is also extensively carried on, and the
mineral wealth of the mountainous Sec
tons of the State are we'll known.
While no great space is devoted to the
subject below, we hold that it is we'll said,
even if brief, and feel assured that it will
be read with pleasure by the majority of
the Banners readers.
We cheerfully give space to the inter-
view because it gives the readers of the
Banner an insight into the method pur-
sued in other states to redeem low lands
and because its author believes it to be
just as adaptable here as elsewhere. 1t
follows:
''In many sections of the country tile
drainage of low lands is being extensively
done. Especially does the practice hold
good throughout the middle West, the
Rocky Mountain States and the Pacific
Coast States.
Gin certain sections of Montana-the
Yellowstone Valley, Deer Lodge Valley
and others-large tracts of low lands, for
merly hay and pasture lands, are being
reclaimed and brought to a high state of
cultivation by the use of tile drainage.
The main drains are located usually about
one mile apart and are twelve inches in
diameter. They run with the natural
slope of the land and are fed by laterals
at various points, depending on the char
acter of the land to be drained and the
natural fall Of the country as to the fire.
quency of the laterals. bitches are dug
by hand, horses and plows, or ditch ma
chimes, or by blasting with dynamite, and
are deep enough to be we'll within gravel
usually nine or ten feet.
"Several land companies are buying
lands in these sections at $40 to S25 per
acre and upwards, and at the same time
setting aside fund equivalent to S15 to
$50 an acre for drainage and other i'm
provements.
Gland already we'll drained and cult
waited sells for about 500 an acre in this
State and in some sections for as much
more.
SIN the Gallatin Valley, Montana, 5000
an acre is an average price; in the Bitter
Root Valley it has sold for $500 an acre.
1.-THE drains are all covered, and, there
fore, do not mar the land or take up room
and cultivation goes on over them and
they never give trouble. The practice is
becoming very common all over the
country. In California very large tracts
have been reclaimed and are fertile farms,
producing yearly large returns for the in
Iowa, Illinois and many other states and
general. When desired traps are placed
at various points along the tile drains, the
water raised again to the surface and used
for irrigation through surface bitches, or
as in some instances, the water may be
caused to back up by plugs placed in the
drain at convenient points and the crops
subirrigated. Thus the water is carried
off or is held, as the condition of the crops
or season may warrant.
"The cost of such drainage is usually
about $40 an acre in the Northwest, where
labor is high. Improved machinery fol-
digging bitches in which to lay the tile
and for making the tile lessen the cost.
''For draining land where the natural fall
or slope of the ground is slight an i'm
prove tile is made which is more efficient
in such locations. 1t takes up the water
more freely than the ordinary round tile
and does not clog with dirt or silt. This
tile was devised and patented by Mr.
Charles Jacket, Montana man,
Bearing out the boast of large yields
and the quality of the crops of Montana
the following clipping is made from the
st. Louis Republic of the 10th, which was
discovered since the above was put ir
type. Some of these winning products
were no doubt grown on tile drained land
and the young Montanan now a visitor
here informs us that the alfalfa was grown
in the now famous Deer Lodge Valley, ir
which his home is located.
''The State of Montana carried off fou1
recent New York Land Show. -Four
silver cups, valued at $1,000 each, were
awarded to the State for the best wheat
oats, barley and alfalfa shown.
''The winning of four prizes by thu
farmers of single state for the produc.
ton of such standard and important crops
is considered remarkable.
montana, in spite of the great richness
OF her valleys. is young and compare.
lively undeveloped State. Her cultivated
area is comparatively small and her loya
citizens declare that in course of time hel
productivity will astonish the Nation.
''The great valleys from which the
prize winning crops came, however, are