CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 314, 23 October 1860, Page 2

CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS.

A correspondent of the Hamilton Spectator^ who states that the general opinion amongst settlers is that water will be very scarce next summer, offers the following hints on the subject of data building:— " The first principle is, that the embankment be formed entirely of well-puddled earth or clay, the use of timber or other foreign substances being carefully avoided. The next object is, the shape or cross-section of the embankment. As a general rule, it ought to be made stronger than is absolutely required for the weight of water to be retained. A good rule is to make the embankment as wide on the top as the height of the water will be in the deepest.part,., and to make tho slope next the water considerably flatter than the other, which ought not to be less than a foot and a half horizontal to each foot in the height, as is shown in the following diagram:— / Water-level The embankment ought to be made in thin layers, so that the cattle used in its construction may, by frequently passing over it, thoroughly incorporate it with the layer below. The natural soil and gravel on the site of the embankment must be removed, and it would be a benefit to plough the clay subsoil before the first layer is put on. The drawing of the clay may be. formed by horses and carts, or it may be cheaper, and, I believe, better done, by ploughing the clay on either side, and moving the loosened earth to an embankment by an iron scoop, drawn by bullocks, as in India. When the embankment is brought to the required height, the slopes must be trimmed smooth, and to protect it from injury by the cattle treading it down, it ought to be enclosed with a fence on the lower side, returned a sufficient distance into the. water at each end. As to the cost of these embankments, the most expensive one, constructed with stone pitched laces, in England, only cost three-pence per cubic yard of water stored ; and from the plentiful supply of material to be obtained here, the cost will not exceed the above estimate. Indeed, there are places where it would not cost more than a penny. As each sheep requires about a cubic yard of water during the summer months, the cost of constructing dams may easily be calculated. It will be found also that the value of the sheep which annually die from want of water would pay for forming dams sufficient for the whole flock more than four times over. Now, with this before our eyes, how is it settlers will continue their ruinous, shocking, and cruel system ? Many old residents in the district will recollect the time when most of our present lakes were quite dry; when a road passed over the bed of Lake Colac, and when Morgiana camped his sheep in the middle of Lake Linlithgow. The value of an artificial supply of water was then most severely felt; and if the same agencies that made those lakes dry then are now at work, how much the more ought settlers to provide for a like contingency in future.

Sound Sleep.—Any man who can bound out of bed as soon as he wakes of a mid-winter's morning, is worth something. No fear of his not making his way through the world creditably, because he has the elements of a promptitude, decision, and energy, which guarantee success. To in?valids we make a comfortable suggestion worth knowing. If you have force of will euough to keep from taking a " second nap " which makes its baleful influence felt on multitudes —it is better for you to lie awhile and think about it, until that feeling of weariness passes out of the limbs which you so commonly feel. But to sleep soundly and to feel rested and refreshed when you wake up of a morning, four things are essential :—l. Go to bed with feet thoroughly dry and warm. 2. Take nothing for supper but some cold bread and butter, and a single.cup of weak, warm tea, of any kind. 3. Avoid over fatigue of body. 4. For the hour preceding bedtime, dismiss every engrossing subject fiQrn the mind, and let it be employed about something soothing and enlivening in cheerfulness. — Journal of Mmltk