JQQ IMPROVEMENT OF WHSTE LAND. 



though rough and some pasture as before described, had 

 by draining and feeding began to improve considerably ; 

 and in the spring of 1806, I was enabled to turn the water 

 over such sixteen acres, from which I derived a tolerable 

 crop of hay in that summer. Feeding it harder afterward, 

 and watering it the following winter, there was a good sup- 

 ply of feed for sheep till the latter end of April; when it 

 was laid up and Watered as before, but with far better suc- 

 cess, as the crop was not only greatly improved in quality, 

 but likewise in quantity, producing more than two tons to 

 an acre throughout the sixteen acres. 



The residue of the thirty acres prepared for irrigation as 

 before stated, formerly fish ponds and other rough lands, 

 but lately levelled and sown with perpetual grasses, is now 

 looking remarkably well, and will certainly be in readiness 

 to receive the water, as soon as the land is firm enough for 

 this purpose. 

 Cost, In accomplishing this work I had the assistance of Joseph 



Trigger, who lived with and managed the water meadows 

 of the late Mr. Bakewell of Dishley for more than twenty 

 years ; and it would be an act of injustice to him not to say, 

 that the said land is prepared for a water meadow in a mas- 

 terly style. This cost me not less than £223. 

 Pared and As soon ag I perceived the effect of my drains on the 



burned. ^o^, which was composed of a good deep peat, I pared by 



hand thirteen acres of it, which I burnt, and spread the 

 Sowed col* ashes; then ploughed the land once, and sowed it with cole 

 seed » 6eed in the month of July. The crop turned out very good, 



and fed one hundred and sixty two-shear hogs (Leicester) 

 and next white for two months; after which I ploughed it once only, and 

 oaIS * sowed it with white oats in the month of April 1807. At 



first the oats appeared sickly, but receiving a few warm 

 showers in May, they recovered and flourished exceedingly, 

 making a most excellent appearance, to the astonishment 

 of the neighbourhood; for when reaped, they were estimated 

 at from ten to thirteen quarters per acre, some part* being 

 preferable to others, but the whole good ; and I have no 

 doubt, for at present they are not threshed, that the crop 

 will amount to its estimate. 

 In the course of last year I pared seven acres more of the 



said 



