Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1877 — Farm Drainage. [ARTICLE]

Farm Drainage.

All farm lands are greatly improved, and made more productive, by being properly drained. From experience and observation.! amsatisfled that undeidrairiing, if properly done, where it is practicable, is much the best, yet lands whiph are quite rolling and hilly would in most cases be greatly benefited by making deep dead furrows eveiy two or three rods apart when plowing. But when the land is only moderately rolling or nearly level, make good-sized open ditches, not more than eighty rods apart, deep enough to go mostly below the top soil, in order that the land may be drained below the roots of the growing crops, then as the surplus water runs oft; the air will enter the soil, and rising up through to the surface, aereate and warm the land, which helps to furnish good and wholesome food for the crops, thereby increasing the yield. But underdraining if properly done is still better. Drains should not be far apah, and should be so laid as to run from the head to the outlet with some descent, and be from two to four feet below the surface (of course an outlet must be provided.) This would drain the soil more evenly and thoroughly, reaching all parts of the land or field to be drained. By this method of draining while the surplus water is running off, the air is running up the drains, and rising through the ground, aerating and warming the soil, making it fit for cultivation full ten days earlier in spring, and continuing its warmth as much later in the fall, thereby lengthening the growing and ripening season, and in most cases, preventing injury from early and late frosts, which in some seasons would add more to the value of lhe crop than the whole cost of the drainage. Where the land is favorable for underdraining, the cost need not be more than from two to four dollars per acre, according to theprlces paid for labor and materials. The drains can be made cf pine boards; a strip six and a half inches wide nailed on to the edge of a strip five and a halt inches wide, and, in lieu of a bottom, nail short strips across about four feet apart, to keep the sides in their places. This kind of drain will last many years, and do good service.. Therefore, I would recommend underdraining as being the greatest benefit to the soil. Bat persons who cannot conveniently underdrain their land should at least dig a few open ditches, of good size and proper depth for main, and then when plowing make deep dead furrows, leading into the ditches, which will be found highly beneficial. Cor. Rural New Yorker.