Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1913-05-01

Bottom land near
Tile drainage has been designated
as the key to all soil improvement. Its
establishment is at the foundation of
all other practices which must be en-
=ployed. II 1t does not exist, the other
farm practices such as tillage, fertili-
cation, ETC., can not be applied effec-
lively. 1t can be said to be the most
valuable permanent improvement that
can be put on land.
An excess Of water in the soil has
many and far-reaching effects upon
plant growth, especially if this condi'
ton is intermittant
Effects of Drainage.
A few of the most important effects
of drainage are as follows: (1) Firms
the soil. (2) Increases the available
moisture capacity. 60 Improves the
aeration OF. the soil. az Raises the
average temperature. (5) Reduces
"heaving." (6) Promotes the growth
of desirable bacteria. CD Land Is
ready for seeding earlier. 80 In
creases crop yield.
The need for drainage is indicated
when water stands at or near the sur
face of the soil sufficiently long to in
terfere with farm operations in the
way of tillage, planting or harvesting.
The three essential requirements for
the growing of good crops, SO far as
the physical condition of the soil Is
concerned, are: ~ The right condi-
ton of temperature. (2) The right
condition of moisture. 90 Sufficient
ventilation. The seed Of most of our
farm crops will terminate most rapid
" when the temperature ranges from
Is to 80 degrees depending upon the
crop. They will not terminate vigor-
ously at a temperature below 60 de-
grees. The vigor of the growth of the
future plant will be modified quite ma
terially by the rate of termination. In
soil with a surface temperature as
low as 60 degrees late in the spring
and early summer, as is the case in
underdrained soil, the rate of plant
feeding will be low, as will also the rate
If notification and free nitrogen fix
'ng. 1t requires much more heat to
warm an overwet soil than it does to
warm the same soil with the best of
moisture for the growing of crops.
The soil must be ventilated for the
same reason that our houses must be
ventilated, namely, to keep up prop
sr supply of oxygen in the soil and
/ 70 remove from the soil undesirable
gases which are deposited in the soil
tby the termination of seeds and the,
growth of roots, also the soil must be
ventilated to keep up the supply OF
nitrogen. Seeds will not terminate In
he absence of oxygen and plants will
| die because of its absence. The roots
/ 81 ordinary crops can not grow under
water. Under best conditions the
roots of corn plants will grow to q
depth of eight to twelve feet. II,
therefore, water stands within two and
! a half to three feet efAthe surface of
| the ground, the area which these roots
may occupy is much restricted. 60
Lands Likely 70 Need Drainage.
Lew-lying, fiat areas, and especially
those partly surrounded by hills are
Generally in need of drainage. Heavy
clay sells, even though they have ap.
parently considerable natural surface
drainage, situated on the slopes OF
hills, are quite often found to need
undertaking. is quite common to
find springy places at the foot of hills
and higher up on them, and whenever
these occur one will find the surround.
ing land water logged" on account OF
an impervious subsoil. Just because
the land is quite sloping is no reason
that it should not be drained, for in
this state they probably need drainage
as much as the fiat bottom lands.
Kind of Tile.
There are several kinds Of tile on
the market, such as cement, glazed
and porous tile Round, hard-burned
clay tile, cement or glazed are all
good, but a, clay tile which is too por.
Gus is Objectionable, as it will not last
long.
Size Of Tile.
The size of the tile will depend upon
the fall and the rea drained For
mains five to six-inch, and for laterals
three to four-inch will usually be
found most satisfactory.
The distance apart of the tile de-
ponds upon the character of the soil,
but usually 40 to 60 feet apart, laid
to depth of 8 to az feet will be eff
fective for removing the surplus wa
ter The lowest ground should be Sc
lected for the. main and put in laterals
through the wettest places first.