Rensselaer Union, Volume 10, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1878 — Homestead Drainage. [ARTICLE]

Homestead Drainage.

The question of drainage is one of the most important with which the farmers of the West have to deal. In this the drainage of the house lot and grounds is of the first importance, especially so since this may bo accomplished at a comparatively light cost, when we compare the value returned. When the barn yard and its surroundings are directly connected, or in close proximity to the home and the well, from which the daily drinking water of the family is drawn, the question of drainage often becomes most serious, and for this reason: The water of drainage sinks from the surface directly to the water-line in the earth, and thence horizontally, or along the natural declivity of porous strata, to the nearest outlet. In a majority of cases this will be found to be to the well. Why? If for no other reason, from the well-known fact that insect life, during droughts, bore to the nearest living water, the well, and when the rains again saturate the earth, direct open channels are thus left where the water of drainage flows, loaded with the accretions of the sinks, the privy and the barnyard. Hence it will be at once seen that every precaution should be used to cut off and convey away these accumulations by means of underdrains.

Next to this source of disease, undrained cellars are prolific breeding places of miasma. It is safe to say that of the farm cellars of the West—and not one quarter of the farm houses are provided with cellars at all—fourfifths are without sufficient drainage, and for the reason that it is considered impractical tollrain them. Even where a lame attempt at drainage is made, the water ways are generally of plank or other perishable material, without traps to prevent the return of foul gases, thus, adding to the danger of infection by miasma. Those who have made this mistake should lose no time in taking up these drains and laying others of vitrified pipe which may be cheaply bought .in any city. There are very few farm house sites in the West where the drainage is not comparatively easy; few places where forty rods of drain will not give a perfect outflow from a cellar seven feet deep. Nevertheless if such be the case, the only way is to continue the drain until a sufficient outfall is reached. In the ditch, after the bottom is carefully leveled so the fall will be equal, lay three-inch glazed pipe, with shoulders so one may be fitted in the other and cemented tight; else there will be leakage at the joints, the ground will be saturated, decompositkn. will ensue, and malaria be surely generated. Just after the drain leaves the cellar a joint of pipe should be laid forming an elbow or V. This serves as a trap to keep all foul gases from entering the cellar, and below this trap one from the sink and other conveniences of the jbouse where water is used, may be inserted, being careful in every case to guard each separate pipe with a trap next where the water enters from the house. It would also be well to lay a pipe from the well connecting with the cellar drain below the trap. Thus the sewer may be flushed during droughts and washed clean at will by means of a tank connected therewith. If a windmill is used the whole will be simplified. The outlet to the cellar drain requires looking after. If if do not end in a running stream, the deposit should not be allowed to accumulate. Some means for saturating and removing the deposit should be used at such seasons aa will not permit its running away. If no other means are at hand it may be planted with Willows, or other trees that absorb strongly by their roots. Instances of trees planted near sewers and catch basins absorbing by their

roots the noxious principles contained therein ’ would seern to be pretty well authenticated, and it deserves extensive , trial.— Drairie Farmer.