BETTER DRAINAGE MEANS INCREASED CARRYING CAPACITY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 161, 17 May 1940, Page 7

BETTER DRAINAGE MEANS INCREASED CARRYING CAPACITY

Much of the low-lying or poorly drained areas on many farms is potentially first-class land. The institution of a proper drainage system on sucli areas will allow a considerable increased production in a comshort time. Since any means for increasing production should be the concern of all farma ers, this autumn, winter and spring they have a great opportunity of improving drainage conditions an their farms where necessary, and consequently of increasing their pro duction. The maintenance and improvement of existing drainage systems should be carried out during the ensuing months. Open drains require cleaning out. Blockages in the drains should be readily observed and put right during the winter months. Where a new drainage system is seen to be inadequate to carry all water, an extension on the system may be made to cope with the conditions.

If d \vork is contemplated, a plan el the field and a sur\Qy ol levels is necessary. This may best be (loi'iC after rain when low-lying areas and the natural drainage movement may be seen. On peat soils particular care must be taken in drainage work because too great a lowering oC the water table may be disastrous. Open drains can be dug at any time, but are best dug when the soil is easiest to handle. Autumn ov early winter usually gives the most opportunity for easy digging, as well as being a time when the demand for labour on other farm jobs may not be so great. For tile drains reasonably moist conditions are desirable so that there is no likelihood of the sides crumbling in during digging operations. and also a clean moulded bottom may be obtained on which to place the tiles. For either tile or| open drains, showery wcathci gives a slight flow of water in the drains, which assist in obtaining an even