Steam Draining.
basil | 2/16/2006 | 11:43 am
Steam Traction Engine at Martley near Worcester 1972.
John Collins from Inkberrow used his steam ploughing engine with it’s underslung winch, to pull a deep mole drain in a criss cross pattern under the Martley Chantry School playing field in 1972. The advantage over modern equipment is that heavy machinery doesn’t cross the waterlogged field.
John Collins is still contracting draining land and dredging lakes, able to compete, because coal is cheaper than diesel and his work is much cleaner. There are probably a dozen steam ploughing engines still earning their keep, mainly in Lincolnshire on the big potato fields. Max
Draining land became popular after the Second World War; Government grants were available for this purpose.
Land that had been drained increased crop yield by a good percentage, particularly cereal crops by 35% to 50% even a crop of hay would be improved by 30%
Land that is badly drained will be waterlogged and have water lying on the surface, plants such as reeds, rushes and sedges will be in abundance.
The question of whether to drain an area will be; Due to high cost, will it be a worthwhile undertaking? An alternative would be to grow plants that require a damp environment such as Willow or reed.
Draining land can be carried out using tile drains, this will be an expensive option but it is permanent.
Before starting the draining operation, ditches in the vicinity should be checked and cleared. The area to be drained should be surveyed and levels assessed with a theodolite, although in later years the laser has become the norm. The main carrier drain should be laid first with a connection to a suitable run off ditch. Next the side drains or laterals should be led from the main in a herringbone layout to highest point to be drained. The depth of these can vary but a minimum of two ft. six to three ft. should allow clearance for cultivating.
