Nearly all of the country part I live in is drained by those tubes >
Reasons for drainage
Polders
The phenomenon polder is only possible by drainage. Without draining these areas would, lying below sea level, flooding and lakes (bounded by levees) will be that they would otherwise fill up with seepage and rainfall.
Since the invention of windmills in the 15th century, it is possible by pumping to carry water against gravity off. As a result, draining large tracts of land, such as a polder become possible.
In order to make land and arable farming possible in the Netherlands is drainage necessary in order to ensure that the soil is dry (and hence firm) enough to support the heavy equipment. In addition, the constant that the groundwater level for some crops of interest is. And other polders drained agricultural areas, such as wetlands, are among the most productive farmland in the world.
In coastal areas for agricultural drainage are favorable in areas with a strong seepage. In these areas often crops out salt water. Through draining the seepage can be captured through which a freshwater lens may arise. ( Wikipedia)
I like the coiled hoses. They remind me of hay rolls. Very interesting. You have illustrated this very well, with water in the ditch and lots of dry crop land. Since the 15th century. They were very determined to use this land. Does it flood part of the year to get nutrients, etc.?
Ian
The pins sound very pretty- I hope you find them!