252 IIORTUS GRAMINl.US WOBURNENSlS. 



pie process of forming them into water-meadows, have had 

 their original value, which is generally from one to five 

 shillings, increased to forty, and frequently to sixty shillings 

 per acre. From the magnitude, and the short space of 

 time in which the rise in the value of land is thus perma- 

 nently effected, the conversion of waste bogs to irrigated 

 meadows may justly be ranked with the very first improve- 

 ments in this branch of practical agriculture ; and were it 

 not from the local nature of the lands in question, when it 

 is considered that in numerous instances, with a spade only, 

 the process may be begun and finished, it may justly per- 

 haps maintain a claim for the first place in improvements of 

 modern agriculture in any branch whatever. At least it 

 appears difficult to find any other improvement in this art 

 that so speedily, permanently, and at so moderate an ex- 

 pense, raises the value of the land to the degree now men- 

 tioned. It is hardly possible, I should conceive, to witness 

 one of these wastes converted into a rich fertile meadow in 

 the short compass of two seasons, without feeling a convic- 

 tion something like this. 



In forming a water-meadow, the chief point to be 

 obtained is a perfect command of the water, that it may 

 be admitted on the land, and completely carried off at 

 pleasure ; for without this it will be found a vain and useless 

 labour, as none of the valuable species of grass will thrive or 

 even exist in this kind of soil under any other condition. 



Lands lying on declivities are seldom converted into water- 

 meadows, from the want of a regular and sufficient supply of 

 water in such situations. Bogs and low marshy grounds 

 are generally, in their natural state, the least profitable of 

 soils, but are capable, by means of irrigation, of having their 

 value increased to a higher degree than any other waste 

 lands. 



Water-meadows situated on declivities are termed catch-ioork 

 meadows ; and those formed out of bogs and low level land, 

 are styled flowing meadows. The last requires the most art 

 and labour in its formation, on account of the difficulty that 

 sometimes occurs in getting a command of tl'.e water. This 

 is generally effected by throwing up the land in high ridges. 



