The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1916-07-13
Work of County Aericdlturist


Last week could very properly be
termed drainage week. Mr.. g. Ii.
Cook, Assistant State Leader In COun.
ty Agent Work, was present in the
county Wednesday until Saturday as
sisting a number who had requested
help along drainage lines. In addition
to laying an extensive tile system on
his own farm, Mr.. Cook had several
years experience in drainage work
while agent for Allegan county and
this founded on thorough scientific
training made his advice especially re-
liable. The plan followed was to visit
each mans farm, look over his problem
and give assistance as seemed best suit
ed to his particular case. A drainage
level was taken along and in most
cases readings were taken at several
points so that the best system for each
| field could be outlined. Other matters
in regard to laying tile and digging
bitches and the proper kind and size
to use were discussed with each man.
An important matter that also came
| to our notice was the lack of durability
of some of the cement tile that had
been laid On one farm number OF
these were dug up that had been in the
ground for few years and 1t was found
that they were beginning to decay and
crumble on the outside surface. This
| condition may be due TO a number or
considerations in the manufacture OF
| tile. In some cases it indicates too
lean mixture, that is too much sand
gravel in proportion to the amount or
cement used in others that the aggre-
| gate was of too fine material, or that
the cement was not thoroughly mixed
with it, Probably the most fruitful
cause of trouble with cement tile has
been the method of curing them. To
secure good durable cement tile, Ii is
necessary to keep it damp for the first
three weeks of the curing process. In
too many cases they are taken directly
| from the molds and placed in the hot
sun Regardless of the kind of mater
ial and the care in mixing, such meth
cd of curing will not produce lasting
tile. A good tile can be distinguished
from poor one by tapping them. One
that 10 properly made will produce a
ringing sound, while a poorly construct
ed one will sound flat.
1t was also gratifying to note that
every farm visited had enough fall for
an efficient system. OF course, in one
or two instances this was not so great
as could be desired, but III no case ola
it go beyond the lowest limit at which
tile can be operated successfully
In almost all cases the men were
found working in the hay field and the
fact that in every instance they were
glad to drop their work in such busy
time to learn about their drainage
problems is sure indication that in
tereet in this line of work has become
very strong, and the prospects are that
one man alone will lay from six to
eight hundred rods of tile this coming
fall. The following men were visited
Ernest Clark, +. w. Layle, j. a. Lowe,
w. ID. Simonds, Edward Rankin, John
Muhlitner, Peter Distleratb, Wilbur
Smith, John Schroeppel, w, II. Simonds
of China, and III. T. Vogt, John Patter-
son and Orrin Savage of Columbus
township.
During the week beginning with July
18th, Mr.. j. II. Carmody of the Horti.
cultural Department at East Lansing
will be in the county to assist with
some spraying and thinning demOnstra'
tions and the definite dates and To-
cations of these meetings will be an
nounced in the very near future.
&. l.. Brody, County Agent