WATER MEADOWS. 125 



distributed. The fields are divided by low walls, so that the 

 water can be retained upon them as long as is desired, and 

 then drawn off to a lower level. Commonly, a series of 

 meadows, held by different farmers, are flooded from one 

 source, and old custom or agreement fixes the date of com 

 mencing the irrigation and the period of time at which the 

 water shall be moved from one to another. 



The main flooding is usually given in October, after the 

 grass has been closely eaten off by neat stock. It is then 

 allowed to remain resting or quietly flowing over the land for 

 two or three weeks ; or for two weeks, and, after an interval 

 of a day or two, for two weeks more. This consolidates the 

 grassy surface, and encourages the growth and new formation 

 of roots. The grass springs and grows luxuriantly after this, 

 and, as soon as it is observed to flag, the water is let in again 

 for two or three weeks ; it may be twice during the winter. 

 Whenever a scurn is observed to form, indicating that decom 

 position is commencing below, the water is immediately 

 drawn. In warm weather this will occur very soon, perhaps 

 in a day or two. I believe the water is also never allowed, 

 if possible, to freeze upon the meadows. In the spring, by 

 the middle of March, sometimes sheep and lambs are turned 

 on to the grass. After being fed pretty closely, they are re 

 moved, and the meadows left for a crop of hay. They are 

 ready for mowing in less than two months, and are then, after 

 a short interval, pastured again with horned cattle and horses. 

 Some meadows are never pastured, and yield three heavy 

 crops of hay. Mr. Pusey (a member of Parliament) declares, 

 that he keeps sheep upon his water-meadows, in Berkshire, at 

 the rate of thirty-six an acre, well fed, and intimates his be 

 lief that the produce of grass-land is doubled by irrigation. 

 Grass and hay, however, from irrigated meadows, are of 

 slightly less nourishing quality. It is generally said, that a 



