lling of the ditch_ is a matter of simple labor, and may
be done in whatever way may be most economical under the circumstances of
the work. If the amount to be filled is considerable, so that it is
desirable to use horse-power, the best way will be to use a scraper, such
as is represented in Figure 39, which is a strongly ironed plank, 6 feet
long and 18 inches wide, sharp shod at one side, and supplied with handles
at the other. It is propelled by means of the curved rods, which are
attached to its under side by flexible joints. These rods are connected by
a chain which has links large enough to receive the hook of an ox-chain.
This scraper may be used for any straight-forward work by attaching the
power to the middle of the chain. By moving the hook a few links to the
right or left, it will act somewhat after the manner of the mould-board of
a plow, and will, if skillfully handled, shoot the filling rapidly into
the ditch.

[Illustration: Fig. 39 - BOARD SCRAPER FOR FILLING DITCHES.]

Fig. 39 - BOARD SCRAPER FOR FILLING DITCHES.

If the work is done by hand, mix the surface soil and turf with the
subsoil filling for the whole depth. If with a scraper, put the surface
soil at the bottom of the loose filling, and the subsoil at the top, as
this will be an imitation, for the limited area of the drains, of the
process of "trenching," which is used in garden cultivation.

When the ditches are filled, they will be higher than the adjoining land,
and it will be well to make them still more so by digging or plowing out a
small trench at each side of the drain, throwing the earth against the
mound, which will prevent surface water, (during heavy rains,) from
running into the loose filling before it is sufficiently settled. A cross
section of a filled drain provided with these ditches is shown in Figure
40.

[Illustration: Fig. 40 - CROSS-SECTION OF DITCH (FILLED), WITH FURROW
AT EACH SIDE.]

Fig. 40 - CROSS-SECTION OF DITCH (FILLED), WITH FURROW AT EACH SIDE.

In order that the silt-basins may be examined, and their accumulations of
earth removed, during the early action of the drains, those parts of the
ditches which are above them may be left open, care being taken, by
cutting surface ditches around them, to prevent the entrance of water from
above. During this time the covers of the basins should be kept on, and
should be covered with inverted sods to