Middletown transcript., 1911-10-28
CONSIDERS DRAINAGE

culture has established an Office at Eastor
Nd, where drainage engineer is located
to lookaiter drainage problems in Mary
land and Delaware. He will answer ques
tions received through the mail regarding
bitches and tile drains. Drainage planl
will be examined, and changes suggested
if required. Requests for assistance in 10
eating drains on the ground will be grant
ed as far as possible. In some cases only
a preliminary survey will be made which
will consist in telling the farmer where to
make them, and rough estimate Of cosI
will be supplied.
In other cases, when warrant it, com.
plete survey will be made. This will con
sist in stalking out the lines on the ground
and setting grades with level. The fall
in the ditch will then be a certainty il
cut to plans, and will not depend on the
grade given the ditch by the bitches. A
map is made which shows the location of
drains with respect to fences, roads, and
buildings. a copy Of the map is submit
ted to the farmer with the report. The
report is written after the survey is com.
pleted and describes the system OF drains
in detail, gives an estimate Of cost, and a
table of cuts necessary to get the desired
grade, The Government cannot do O
great deal Of stalking out in one locality as
it is necessary to spread the examples;.in in
order that the greatest territory possible
be covered. Each project is taken up with
the idea that it will serve as an example
to the neighboring farmers and illustrate
to them the benefits of drainage.
OF course if mans outlet is bad, and
the success Of the system doubtful the
fact is stated and the matter dropped.
There is seldom any great trouble from
cases which seem impossible it being the
work of the engineers to find solutions tor
difficult problems.
The farmer is expected to supply the
engineer with subsistence while working
on his farm; apd be is also expected to
supply what unskilled help is necessary
in laying out the work. One man to hold
the rod is required practically the entire
time during the survey, and another is
needed, for small part of the time to
drive stakes. On larger work where open
bitches are run through woods the local
parties are some times required to supply
axmen. The Federal Government does
not undertake any part of the construct
ion, but will sometimes assist local parties
by supplying a little superintendence.
This latter work is done in order that the
carrying out of the plans by the contractor
be made certainty.
1t is expected that a drainage law will
be introduced at the next regular session
of the Maryland Legislature. Under the
provisions of tbis new law it will be possi-
BILE for the people to cooperate to the
fullest extent in digging large outlet dit
,hes. The land benefited is formed into
. drainage district and the owners elect
ihree drainage commissioners to represent
hem. These commissioners will have
power to bond the district to pay for the
work, and will pay the installments OF
principal on the bonds as they come due
Il is customary to have the first INSTALL
nent come due in three years, and the
bonds to be paid up with interest in ten
yearly payments. This will enable the
people TO receive some benefit from the
work before oil the installments ere paid.
Il is expected that with the help of this
law much larger projects will be under
;aken than have heretofore attempted,
and the extent Of the breeding places OF
will be much reduced, result.
ng in increased healthfulness in the local.
ty where drainage work is taken up.