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Show REPAIR8 OF OPEN DITCHE8. John T. 8tewart 8ays It Is Economy. to Make Them Frequently. Tho argument Is often used that a ditch will not romnln open, but will fill, only serving Its purpose for a few yoars without additional expense. This statement Is true with nearly all open dralnago, but the samo statement Will apply to nearly all other farm Improvements. Im-provements. Dulldlngs require repairing repair-ing and repainting every few years, lawns and Bhndo trees requlro attention atten-tion evory season, fence posts rot and wires break, farm machinery lasts a certain porlod and then must 'bo replaced re-placed by an entirely now article Con. sequently tho repair of open ditches Is only In lino with other Improve-ments. Improve-ments. The more carofully thoy nre looked after, tho less time and expense will bo required In theso repairs. Ex pensive ditches have boon dug and loft to take care of themselves, roots from water rushes and branches from wll lows and cottonwood trees becoming lodged In smnll bIU deposits, take root and grow, forming a thicket of grass or bushes, catching all drift. As a result, re-sult, tho ditch fills In rapidly, nnd In tho courso of time tho expense of cleaning Ib nearly as groat as tho first construction. A little uttentlon nnd a few dollars each season would have kopt tho channels In perfect condition. In Bomo localities ditches havo teen examined whore tho hottom wns at or nearly the some elovatlon ns ttio ad-Joining ad-Joining low lands. The only appearance appear-ance of a ditch wns given by the old spoil bankB which had beon left lying along the edge. Tho farmer, counting tho depth of tho ditch from tho top of theso banks, wondored why it did not drain tho land, when It was In no moro condition for carrying wator than a granary without a roof would be for keeping grain dry. |