
FARM DRAINAGE.
PREFACE.
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.
FARM DRAINAGE. - CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTORY.
CHAPTER II. HISTORY OF THE ART OF DRAINING.
CHAPTER III RAIN, EVAPORATION, AND FILTRATION.
CHAPTER IV DRAINAGE OF HIGH LANDS—WHAT LANDS REQUIRE DRAINAGE.
CHAPTER V VARIOUS METHODS OF DRAINAGE.
CHAPTER VI DRAINAGE WITH TILES.
CHAPTER VII DIRECTION, DISTANCE, AND DEPTH OF DRAINS.
At a time when American farms were expanding across varied soils, this work steps in to demystify one of the most overlooked tasks—draining the land. The author combines clear scientific explanations with plain‑spoken instructions, aiming to help farmers decide when drainage is needed and how to achieve it with the least expense. Readers are guided through the fundamentals of water movement, the differences between Old World methods and the realities of New World climates, and the ways modern tools can ease the labor.
The treatise is packed with detailed descriptions of dozens of implements—from simple spades and mole plows to sophisticated tile‑laying machines—each illustrated with precise engravings. Step‑by‑step procedures show how to plan a drainage system, lay tiles, manage springs, and maintain fields after work is done. By blending theory with hands‑on guidance, the book equips anyone from the seasoned planter to the curious newcomer with the confidence to improve soil health and boost productivity.
Full title
Farm drainage The Principles, Processes, and Effects of Draining Land with Stones, Wood, Plows, and Open Ditches, and Especially with Tiles
Language
en
Duration
~11 hours (685K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Steven Giacomelli, Constanze Hofmann and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images produced by Core Historical Literature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University)
Release date
2007-11-10
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1813–1885
A 19th-century lawyer, judge, and agricultural reformer, he helped bring science into American farming and became closely associated with the early history of Massachusetts Agricultural College. He is still remembered for popularizing “French drains,” a practical idea that carried his name far beyond New England.
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