Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1886 — Draining in Central Illinois. [ARTICLE]

Draining in Central Illinois.

The Sullivant farm of 40,000 acres is well-known. Since it came into the possession of Hiram Sibley, the Rochester millionaire, who has a decided taste for agricultural improvement, a large amount of money has been spent in improvement of various kinds. The farm has been brought into the highest state of cultivation, the raising of seeds being a prominent industry. Among - other improvements inaugurated, tile draining may be mentioned. The first money expended for this purpose was in 1882, when $13.53 was laid out. Since then the figures have been, in 1883, $955.99; in 1884, $6,604,75; in 1885, $18,004,75, makinga total of $25,579.02 in four years. The amount of open ditch on the farm is thirty-four miles, and the amount of tile laid 135 miles. The number of tile used in 1885 was 623,982, or over 120 miles. Farmers should profit themselves by means of drainage. It pays. Regin by laying tile in the wettest parts of the farm, and in the center of sloughs. You will soon come to seen the benefit of this labor. There ia no mystery in laying tile, except when thorough drainage is used with a light fall. In this case a drainage engineer may have to be taken into consultation. Begin first by laying a three-inch tile along the descent of sloughs, cutting curves where you may, and you will soon come to be a convert to underdraining.—Chicago Tribune.