The book begins with an exhaustive overview of the history of drainage, from ancient Roman practices to the systematic approaches developed by Walter Bligh, Joseph Elkington, and James Smith of Deanston. The author meticulously details various historical methods, including brush drains, mole plows, wedge and shoulder drains, and wooden tubes, analyzing the mechanics, durability, and practical limitations of each approach. A central focus is given to the mechanics of rainfall, soil saturation, evaporation, and filtration, using extensive observational data and empirical tables to demonstrate how water moves through different strata. The text thoroughly investigates the nature of springs, water of pressure, and the specific moisture conditions that render soils wet and unproductive.
It provides detailed technical instructions on the use of modern drain-tiles, comparing horse-shoe tiles, sole-tiles, and cylindrical pipes with collars, while addressing precise calculations for pipe size, velocity, and friction. Subsequent chapters outline the proper direction, distance, and depth of drains, advocating for four-foot minimum depths and the line of greatest descent. The arrangement of networks, including mains, sub-mains, and junctions, is presented alongside specific protections against silt, roots, and burrowing vermin. Special attention is given to the drainage of stiff clays, cellars, and expansive swamp lands, supported by practical North American experiments and international observations.
