The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1911-11-02
Surveys and Grades for Laying Tile.
(From Idaho Country Life


Whatever may be said to the con-
trary, it remains fact that in order
to get the best results in system of
drainage the work should be laid out
with a eveling instrument and eXecut-
ed i'll accordance with the survey
made No one can be relied upon to
guess grade correctly, nor can any
one arrange a system of grades with
economy and at the same time get the
best possible work out of the system
without first knowing the facts as de-
termined by the level in the hands of
one who is able to use it. The drain
age engineer can stake out the lines,
adjust the grades, and put the work
in such shape that it can be executed
with precision either by contract or
day labor. The results of the work
can be predicted with reasonable GER
tainty before a ditch is opened. The
drainage engineer, with the aid of
farmer who is familiar with the soil,
can plan and lay out the work to far
greater advantage than the ineXper-
fenced man. The farmer as super
intendent can then give his attention
to the execution of the work and in
sist on having it done according to the
plans and surveys without the mis-
givings that it may be entirely wrong.
Where there are large tracks of level
land, or of land so nearly level that
it can be drained successfully only by
the most accurate work with instru-
ments, the services of an engineer
are indispensable. Where the land
is somewhat rolling, the farmer may
be able to adjust the grades himself
The slight grades upon which lines
of tiles may be laid with satisfactory
results are a surprise to many; in
deed, they were regarded as entirely
until the experience Of
recent years proved the contrary.
Lines of drain tiles laid on grade as
low as one-half inch per 100 feet in
firm soils will operate successfully,
provided the lines are not too long,
while drains laid on grades of to-
inches per 100 feet may be counted by
the hundreds of miles, and their sue
cessful operation is attested by thou
sands of acres Of cultivated lands. 1t
is not difficult to impress upon the
mind of anyone who will give the
matter attention the fact that such
work must be laid out with accuracy
and executed with thoroughness and
skill. 1t should be observed in this
connection that the fact of drain hav-
ing a good grade should not be made
an excuse for careless and inaccurate
work, though it is conceded that the
would be less serious
than where the grade is necessarily
light. Where a grade can be adjusted
as may be desired, 3 inches per 100
feet or one-half inch to the rod is re-
garded as ample for tile drains. The
increase of the size of the drain as
the grade is diminished is principle
that should be kept in mind in laying
out work, since grades must be largely
controlled by the natural slope of the
land.
1t is not intended here to convey
the idea that drains cannot be laid by
guess by observing the flow of water
or by the land devel, nor that appar-
emily good work has not been done in
this way but nuniberless mistakes, in
great waste of labor, and
failure in the attainment of the best
results from the work, emphasize the
wisdom Of securing the best possible
preliminary plans as well as their in
telligent execution.