WATER MEADOWS. 305 



part of a meadow, but in the cuts which bring it on and improvement 

 drains that take it olflf ; the motion down the slopes is only of boggy lands, 

 perceptible where it runs off the upper cut and in the 

 lower drain ; in the still more perfect parts, when the 

 grass has got a considerable shoot, even this part of its 

 motion is not perceptible ; and a well-regulated meadow, 

 in the spring, cannot be known to be in a state of irriga- 

 tion without walking into it. The water running among 

 its shoots, soon becomes perceptible to the foot which 

 proves that there is no inconsiderable quantity running 

 down the slopes, though its motion upon that part can- 

 not be seen. 



It is therefore one of the fundamental principles of ir- 

 rigation, to keep the water moving, and that in such well 

 regulated quantities as shall neither be too great nor too 

 little; for both of the extremes are alike unfriendly to 

 vegetation ; but I believe there is much more mischief 

 done to a water-meadow by giving it too little, than too 

 much water, and the greater the supply the less nicety 

 is required in the adjustment, if the meadow is so laid 

 out as to prevent its accumulation in any part thereof. 

 But where the quantity of water is small, it is necessary 

 to be very nice in the distribution of it, in order to re- 

 ceive the full benefit of tbe stream upon as much land as 

 it is capable of floating. 



Here again we must not run into extremes, and try to 

 get the water over too much land at a time, and thereby 

 prevent the grass from receiving the full benefit ofaquan- 

 tity of water wliich is capable of giving it a good soaking: 

 what that quantity is, will be best determined by prac- 

 tice, for some ground requires much more water than 

 others. 



In case of a short supply of water, which is extended to 

 the improvement of as much land as it is capable of cover- 

 ing, according to the best principles of irrigation, it will 

 be better to unite all the water upon such a portion' of 

 the work as practice shall prove it capable of covering 

 well, and to let that part have the full benefit of the water 

 as long at a time as is necessary to give a good soaking, 

 or as long as it may be kept off the otlier parts without 

 injury. 



Vol. XV.— Dec 1806. T t In 



