OBSERVATIONS ON THE SOIL‐WATER REGIMES IN A DRAINED CLAY SOIL

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Abstract
Summary: Details of soil‐water profiles between drains and the associated drain‐flow data are presented for the winter period on a clay soil of the Ragdale series, formed in drift over Lias clay in the Midlands of England. A conventional water‐table is shown to exist and the rate of drain flow is shown to depend on whether the water‐table is high enough to be within layers having a better hydraulic conductivity than the normal subsoil. Mole drainage is shown to modify the drainage performance considerably by providing a quicker disposal of water, and significantly lower water‐table subject to much smaller fluctuations in level. Where drains have been laid in the natural subsoil, without this being disturbed by deep cultivations, the water‐table level is frequently close to cultivation level and there appears to be little water movement in the subsoil. It is concluded that for effective drainage, soils of this type require deep cultivations to modify the subsoil and allow water movement at greater depth.

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