The Rural Voice, 2003-08, Page 39Warren D. Moore
Forest Specialist
specializing in:
* \W oodlot Management z `3
* Timber Marking and Marketing
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* Tree Planting Services
i ".,Certified Managed Forest Plan Approver
Provincial Tree Marker
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36 THE RURAL VOICE
Our old L-shaped "divining rods" and tile -prod for locating drains still hang in
the shed. The rods are no more than two pieces of wire simply bent at right
angles at one-third of their length. The prod is bar with a handle on one end
and a rounded bolt welded to other to make it easier (less friction) for probing
in and out of the ground.
the small end of the branch between
her thumb and index finger and after
dangling the branch over the spot,
she would count the number of bobs
to predict the well's depth.
Dowsing also had other
practical uses on the farm.
And not all dowsing needs to
_be done with."Y".shaped branches.
Two "L' shaped' wires could also do
the trick. Just such a pair of wires
still hangs in the drive shed of our
farm. For several generations, such
wires would be put to use each spring
and summer to locate and replace
broken or plugged tile -drains in the
fields. As any farmer would tell you,
you better have a pretty good idea as
to where the tile drain lay before
digging two or three feet into heavy
clay for it. We would use the "L"
shaped wires to locate where the tile
drain ran to within a foot or so. We
then would probe our "tile rod" down
into the soil, and by striking the tile
drain with it, would verify the exact
spot to dig. The swings in the water
table that tile drains create is one
possible reason cited for why
dowsing is helpful in locating these
buried tiles. Anyway, to my
recollection and that of my father
before me who taught me this trick,
the process appeared to work.
These "L -rods" are great to learn
on and respond to many people on
their very first attempt according to
the American Society of Dowsers. If
not on the first attempt, then most
people can achieve a "dowsing
reaction" with a little practice and
patience says the society. While
divining might work for some over
wells, or over tile drains — why not
save the digging and try as we did
over the dog's water dish placed in
the middle of the lawn? So why not
have some family fun and give it a
try?
Our "L -rods" consisted of two
pieces of regular gauge wire, each
approximately 60 centimetres in
length and bent to a 90 -degree angle
at about the 20 -centimetre mark.
While I do not think the exact length
matters a lot, I do remember being
taught that the ratio of wire to each
side of the angle should be one-third
to two-thirds — if nothing else, it
feels right (with the short -end in
hand).
The wires are held loosely, one in
each hand, so that they are free to
swing. Make sure they are held level
so that they don't have to fight
gravity when swinging. Pointing the
wires straight ahead, walk slowly
across the lawn towards the dog's
water dish. See if the wires will
mysteriously swing together and
cross over one -another when you
pass over the dish. Walking past it,