150 



EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



though in its nature altogether simple, and probably familiar 

 enough to every practical mechanic. The sketch is copied from 

 the Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society, vol. i. p. 359. 



But the conveyance of the water, and the formation of this 

 artificial channel or canal, for so great a length, were only a part 

 of this magnificent work. In order to render the irrigation of 

 these lands easy, their whole surface was to be reduced to an 

 equal flatness or inclination ; consequently, knolls of even six 

 and seven feet high were to be cut down, low places and holes 

 filled up, and all the inequalities of the land corrected ; and this 

 was mainly done by the spade and wheelbarrow. The great 

 point aimed at was, to render the slopes easy and equable ; and. 

 in order that, in cases where considerable elevations were lev 

 elled, a perfectly dead earth might not be left exposed, the top 

 soil was first taken off, and then returned upon the places which 

 had been dug down. This process had not been effectual to 

 render these places as fertile as those parts which had not been 

 subjected to so severe an operation ; but time, under the con 

 tinual influences of a rich vegetation, will probably effect that. 

 The improvements, which were in progress when I visited the 

 place, showed what an undertaking had been accomplished, and 



