GOOD DRAINAGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 3

GOOD DRAINAGE

IMPORTANT IN GARDEN. If ground is badly drained it will never produce good crops of fruits and vegetables. Except in the case of plants specially suited to such conditions, those grown in soil that becomes waterlogged in wet weather will quickly fall prey to disease and illhealth. The first step, therefore, in preparing ground for the cultivation of fruits and vegetables is to see that it is properly drained. This is, of course, more necessary on heavy than on light soils, but even the latter may need draining if the subsoil, is of clay or other impervious matter. In small gardens the construction of the paths with a sufficient depth of coarse material —brickbats and clinkers —below the level of the beds, and with a suitable fall to allow the free run of water, will usually be sufficient to drain off the surplus water, provided deep cultivation is practised. Where a large area of ground has to be dealt with it will be necessary to lay drains. The ideal, methods is to use pipe drains, laying the pipes about 21 feet deep to permit deep cultivation without, disturbing them. The main drain is laid in the direction of the greatest slope, and brancn drains of 2in pipes connected with it in “herring-bone” fashion. The fall of main drains should not be less than 1 to 100, and of side drains 1 in 75. There should be a clear outlet into a ditch, failing which a sump should be constructed.

Pipe draining, unfortunately, is an expensive operation, and not always within the means of the average gardener. An inexpensive and quite satisfactory method is to use stones and clinkers instead of pipes. A trench is taken out 21 feet deep and Gin wide with the aid of a longbladed “grafting” tool. It is filled with stones and clinkers to a depth, of flin or J2in. Over these is placed a layer of brush-wood, not too coarse, which will prevent the soil from washing into the drainage material and choking it. The soil is then filled in and allowed to settle naturally; it should not be rammed, as is sometimes recommended. ns this would obviously defeat the purpose of the drain.