The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1912-02-23
FARM AND ORCHARD
Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations
OREGON Washington Speedily Conditions

pIPC III JuC UOltOl 1li0 OdChhI. hC
ordinary farm tile is the most salts
factory for this class of work, but
care must be taken to prevent dirt
from filing the pipe when backfilling.
In both sidehill work and in heavy
cuts, soft spots are developed by
water seeping under the road In
sidehills, the best remedy is to lay
4-inch pipe in the same manner as
specified for springs, placing the pipe
at the same depth at the inner edge
of the ditch. Through heavy cuts
where the water seeps under from
both sides, the tile may be laid in
the middle of the road, taking care
that it lays well below the ditch line.
In this case it is we'll to use some
what larger tile, 6 inches being the
size commonly specified. The drains
must be carried to some convenient
outlet, and in no case should the
water be carried over 1000 IT.
1t is not enough to get the water
off the road, it must be taken away
from the bitches or a large part of
it will soak back under the travelled
way. Culverts or outlet bitches must
be provided at least every 1000 feet,
and oftener whenever possible. The
outlet ditch can be used only where
it is possible to turn the water away
on each side. some form of culvert
being essential whenever 1t is neces-
sary to carry the water across the
road.
The materials in most common use
for culverts include the wooden box,
| m, fo6 srny 1+p 80 sx,1xx
crete and vitrified clay pipes; rein
| forced concrete and stone masonry
boxes or arches, the masonry being
laid either dry or in mortar All but
one of these have their advantages,
the exception noted being the wooden
box.
i The timber box has but one thing
to recommend it, it's first cost, and
when the repairs and renewals for a
few years are added. it is found to
be a very expensive luxury 1t has
the faculty of rotting and giving no
sign until some horse sticks his foot
through the weak place, and the first
intimation the authorities have that
there is anything wrong is when the
indignant owner comes down on them
iol oIlidSCO' 1lC usually SCto Wndt
he asks, sum which would build
many permanent culverts in the
first place. Nobody likes the wooden
box, but it is still used on account
Of the penny wise policy of those
responsible for the appropriations.
Where good stone is abundant, the
masonry culvert is probably the best
to build and the cheapest to main
tain, but in less fortunate districts
a choice must be made between the
J other materials. So many items en-
ter into the decision that it is i'm
{ possible to recommend any one meth
: cd or material without being familiar
: with local conditions The main con
: sideration is to put in enough cul
{ verts, and have them of ample size
|, They should be laid with a good fall
d not less than two per cent, and out
g let bitches should be excavatet
wherever necessary. The culvert mus
# be large enough to permit of eas,
e cleaning, as well as to carry ava
q the water of the most severe storms
n No matter how carefully you
& drainage system has been designe
d and constructed, it will not give sat
q isfactory service unless it is kept i
g first class condition. The road dra
"a will preserve the crown of the roa
q and fill the ruts and depressions, bu
d the bitches and culverts need COZ
d stant attention. 1t is we'll to go owe
" the road during the first storm an
v see how things are getting along. D
,e not wait until the shower is owe
N for one large stone in the ditch G
,e one clogged culvert may do a gres
X deal of harm, and few cents wort
10 of work during the rain may say
. the district many dollars. Specis
If care is necessary during the autum
70 to keep the bitches and culverts FIRE
V from leaves, and in winter to pr,
"a vent them from being choked wit
q ice and snow.