the same side with the stakes, and back of them.) The
whole force can be profitably employed in this work, until all of the
ditches to be dug are scored to this depth over the entire tract to be
drained, except in swamps which are still too wet for this work.

*Water Courses.*--The brooks which carry the water from the springs should
be "jumped" in marking out the lines, as it is desirable that their water
be kept in separate channels, so far as possible, until the tiles are
ready to receive it, as, if allowed to run in the open ditches, it would
undermine the banks and keep the bottom too soft for sound work.

With this object, commence at the southern boundary of our example tract,
10 or 15 feet east of the point of outlet, and drive a straight,
temporary, shallow ditch to a point a little west of the intersection of
the main line _D_ with its first lateral; then carry it in a northwesterly
direction, crossing _C_ midway between the silt-basin and stake _C 1_, and
thence into the present line of the brook, turning all of the water into
the ditch. A branch of this ditch may be run up between the lines _F_ and
_G_ to receive the water from the spring which lies in that direction.
This arrangement will keep the water out of the way until the drains are
ready to take it.

*The Outlet.*--The water being all discharged through the new temporary
ditch, the old brook, beyond the boundary, should be cleared out to the
final level (3.75,) and an excavation made, just within the boundary,
sufficient to receive the masonry which is to protect the outlet. A good
form of outlet is shown in Fig. 23. It may be cheaply made by any farmer,
especially if he have good stone at hand;--if not, brick may be used, laid
on a solid foundation of stout planks, which, (being protected from the
air and always saturated with water,) will last a very long time.

[Illustration: Fig. 23 - OUTLET, SECURED WITH MASONRY AND GRATING.]

Fig. 23 - OUTLET, SECURED WITH MASONRY AND GRATING.

If made of stone, a solid floor, at least 2 feet square, should be placed
at, or below, the level of the brook. If this consist of a single stone,
it will be better than if of several smaller pieces. On this, place
another layer extending the whole width of the first, but reaching only
from its inner edge to its center line, so as to leave a foot in width of
the bottom stone to receive the fall of the water. This second layer
should reach exactly the