Although these are rarely available in sufficient numbers to be laid continuously along the entire length of the trench, it is unwise to throw one down on a particularly muddy spot in a trench as a remedy. The result is that when it becomes covered with mud it sinks out of sight, and another one is thrown down with the same result. Then, when an attempt to drain is made, much to somebody’s disgust they run into a layer of floorboards, quit work, and the trench never becomes drained. Patchy repairs to a trench bottom are as aggravating and as useless as bad revetment. When only a few floorboards are available, then they should be laid in one length and that length made as nearly perfect as possible, until more may be had, then that length continued. Patching here and there is of no use and never leads anywhere. Trench bottoms are treated in different ways up and down the line, depending on localities and materials on hand. In some places the trench bottom is of concrete blocks and bricks, with a small trench ditch of about 6 inches running along the side. This is not a very happy combination, as men traveling up and down the trenches at night with heavy loads sometimes stumble, their feet go in, the trench ditch becomes full of mud and blocked up, and your trench gradually becomes flooded up and down its length, unless very great care is taken. Where time and labor are available, long lengths of trench may be put and kept in good condition and the trench question partially solved if two rows of stout 4-foot sticks are driven well into the bottom of the trench, about 3 feet apart. Wooden rails are then nailed along the top of the stakes and cross-bars nailed and fastened to the rails. This work must be done thoroughly, though, or weak places will occur and become very dangerous for men traveling at night with heavy loads, as a fall through a hole in one of these bottoms generally means a broken ankle or some other accident.

In some parts of the line it has not been necessary to use anything for a trench floor, the ground itself being sufficient, with a small drainage ditch dug at the side, as in the case of those trench bottoms covered with cement and brick.