The Mena weekly star., 1918-01-24
FARM DRAINAGE
 VERY IMPORTANT
Engineering Advice On This Subject Can Be Secured From o. G. Bax-
 ter, Old State House.

attention of the land owners of Ark ansas at this season of the year En- gineering advice on these subjects can be secured for the asking by ap- plying to O. c. Baxter at the Old State House. Little Rock, Ark. Mir Baxter, who is the Senior Drainage Engineer for the U. S Department of Agriculture in this district, is co-ope- rating with the Extension Division of the University of Arkansas. through the county agents, in an effort to be of greater service to the people of this state. Tn speaking of the need and value of proper farm drainage, MT. Baxter says:
 "ln travelling over the agricultural districts of Arkansas and the sur rounding states, one is impressed by the great amount of waste land that is due to lack of proper drainage. This lack of drainage is indicated by the growth of coarse grass and weeds, and by sickly, thin, and stunted crops where attempts have been made at cultivation. It is customary to blow around the wet spots, thereby incur ring loss on account of cultivation methods in addition to that due to the poor quality of the crop. The yield can be increased on many farms that are entirely under cultivation by the construction of good drainage sys- tens.
 The effect of later planting and slower growth due to lack of drainage is also apparent in the harvest, espe. cially where the crop must be made before the drouth begins. Some of the largest cotton planters in Missis- sippi state that drainage is one of the main factors in the fight against the boil weevii, as thorough drainage allows the crop to be planted from 10 days to two weeks earlier in the spring and permits more timely culti- vation, thereby resulting in an earlier maturing of the crop.
 Tile drains will not only dry and warm land that is wet and cold, but they have a marked effect upon tho physical structure of the soil After drainage, the soil becomes looser; 1t therefore is more easily cultivated and the surplus water readily passes through the larger pore spaces. No fear need be had of too much drain age, as sufficient moisture for plant growth remains on the soil particles and cannot be removed by the drains
 Drainage adds no plant food to the soil, except the nitrogen that certain plants gather from the air and that replaces the surplus water between the soil particles. But the warm air circulating through the soil induces the growth of bacteria that release certain food elements from insolublc compounds and make them available for the use of plants. In this way, drainage increases the fertility of soils
 In a drained soil crops have deeper roots systems than do those on wet CT poorly drained soils. The roots of most crops will not go into a saturated soil and will die if kept in water without air for more than a short time. The root system does not ex, tend to the depth at which the soil Is permanently wet, but only to a depth that is somewhat above the stage where the water table remains long enough to injure the roots. Tn wet soils the water table is high during the planting seHson and early growth of the crop The root system adapts itself to this depth and later, when the dry season comes on and the soil wa ter is lowered, the plants suffer from drouth and for want of food.
 The most practical drainage system is one that is adequate. permanent. uses the least possible land, and Is not hindrance to cultivation. Tile drains which empty into either open or closed outlets most nearly provide such system. With the open-ditch system, much valuable land is occu- pied, the drainage is seldom thorough. and the ditches become filled and have to be frequently cleaned. Open ditches occupy a considerable per cent of the area drained.
 Taking all factors into considera. tion tile drains are more economical in the end even though they are more expensive to install There is no req son why the tile drainage system, properly constructed, should not re- main in proper condition and give sat isfaction indefinitely.
 In order that the best results may be obtained from drainage system. il is essential that 1t be properly de- signed. One not experienced in this kind of work should not take the re- sponsibility or planning any consider able expenditure for drainage. Com plete surveys and examinations should be made in order to determine the most practical and economical plan. Construction work should be careful. ly done in order that the tile shall be laid in strict accordance with the grades established by the engineer who planned the work.
 A great majority of the failures in drainage systems have been due to improper planning and poor construc- tion work. As far as possible the engineers with the Department of Az riculture in this district are willing to help the people of Arkansas without any charge whatever. White today for particulars.
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