The Brinkley argus., 1918-01-11
RN DRAINAGE Z VERY IMPORTANT
,,;neerinc Advice On This Subject Can Be Secured From o. G. Sax
 ter, old State House.

|Terracing and Farm DIdlhdSe aie o eubiects which should attract the ! tanfion of the land owners of Ark geoe at this season of the year. En- |neering advice on these subjects n he secured for the asking by ap- vine to o. G. Baxter at the Old ate House, Little Rock, Ark. MT [,xter. who is the Senior Drainage roineer for the U. s. Department or pTic4lture in this district, is co-ope- [t;no with the Extension Division of e University of Arkansas, through Ie county agents, in an effort to be
 greater service to the people ef ie state. In speaking of the need yd yalue of proper farm drainage, r. Baxter says:
 .In travelling over the agricultural iqtricts of Arkansas and the sur uuding states, one is impressed by Q great amount of waste land that due to lack of proper drainage. his laJck of drainage is indicated by q growth of coarse grass and weeds, kd by sickly, thin, and stunted crops here attempts have been made at bltiyation. It is customary to blow bound the wet spots, thereby incur nr A loss on account of cultivation Iethods in addition to that due to the Dor quality of the crop. The yield Sn be increased on many farms that e entirely under cultivation by the Instruction of good drainage sys- ms.
 The effect of later planting and over growth due to lack of drainage also apparent in the harvest, espe- ally where the crop must be made bfore the drouth begins. Some of le largest cotton planters in Missis- ppi state that drainage is one of e main factors in the fight against e boil weevil, as thorough drainage lows the crop to be planted from
 days to two weeks earlier in the bring and permits more timely culti- Ation, thereby resulting in an earlier aturing of the crop.
 ITile drains will not only dry and arm land that is wet and cold, but Aey have a marked effect upon the hysical structure of the soil. After tainage, the soil becomes looser; it Therefore is more easily cultivated bd the surplus water readily passes trough the larger pore spaces. No lar need be had of too much drain Be, as sufficient moisture for plant fowth remains on the soil particles |id cannot be removed by the drains. Drainage adds no plant food to the bil, except the nitrogen that certain Bants gather from the air and that fplaces the surplus water between e soil particles. But the warm air rculating through the soil induces e growth of bacteria that release rain food clements from insoluble bmpounds and make them available r the use of plants. In this way, [ainage increases the fertility of ills,
 In a drained soil crops have deeper ots systems than do those on wer
 poorly drained soils. The roots of 0st crops will not go into saturated |il, ard will die if kept in water hthout air for more than a short he. The root system does not ex. nd 10 the depth at which the soil is rmanently wet, but only to depth at is somewhat above the stage hare the water table remains long nough to injure the roots. In wet Pils the water table is high during planting season and early growth
 the crop. The root system adapts Felf to this depth and later, when the Y season comes on and the soil wa 2 is lowered, the plants suffer from outh and for want of food.
 The most practical drainage system
 one that is adequate. permanent, les the least possible land, and Is 9 hindrance to cultivation. Tile ains which empty into either open
 closed outlets most nearly provide eh a system. With the open-ditch stem, much valuable land is occu- ed the drainage is seldom thorough,
 ( the ditches become filled and have
 be frequently cleaned. Open
 ches occupy considerable per cent
 me area drained
 iakng all factors into considera.
 tile drains are more economical
 Inc end even though they are more
 pnsive to install. There is no req | Why the tile drainage system, opefly constructed, should not re
 m in proper condition and give sat
 action indefinitely.
 m order that the best results may
 ohIalned from a drainage system,
 is essential that it be properly de- tneo' One not experienced in this Plu of work should not take the re-
 onsibility Of planning any consider
 'e expenditure for drainage. Com e'e surveys and examinations should
 made In order to determine the
 'sl practical and economical plan.
 nsuuction work should be careful.
 uone ia order that the tile shall be
 'u ID strict accordance with the