IRRIGATION. 153 



a second crop is ready, which, with the allowance of time neces 

 sary to clear the first crop from the ground, and to apply the 

 water, will carry this second catting to the middle of July. After 

 this, an eddish [called in the United States after-feed or fall- 

 feed. H. C.] will be left to be eaten by sheep and cattle in the 

 autumn and early winter. The meadows which are first cut 

 will frequently allow of a third cutting of green food j but the 

 eddish will, of course, in that case be of less value. Speaking, 

 therefore, of the whole range of meadows, to say that, besides 

 the sheep-feed in the spring, they will afford two green cuttings 

 and an eddish, is to be rather under than above the mark. 

 Some portions are allowed to stand for hay, and are mown, after 

 having been stocked late, early in July, yielding two tons to the 

 acre, and leaving, as in the other case, an eddish for the early 

 winter.&quot; * 



But it must be remembered, that this is not the whole of the 

 profit gathered from these meadows. They require no manure 

 to keep them in condition, beyond the water which is supplied 

 to them, if that is to be called manure. But every acre of this 

 irrigated land, in its produce consumed by cattle on the farm, 

 supplies manure for five acres of other land ; and this, on every 

 account, must be considered an invaluable advantage. 



The expense of these improvements has been very great ; and 

 the more especially, as every part of the work has been executed 

 in the most substantial and beautiful manner. It seemed to me 

 impossible to find a more finished work. The scale of expense 

 here could form no rule for any such work in the United States, 

 even should one in a much more humble form be in any case 

 attempted. As to the result here, although, wherever these im 

 provements are spoken of, I have heard the expense objected to, 

 it was enough for me to know that the noble proprietor expressed 

 himself entirely satisfied. f At the current value of land in this 



* The Duke of Portland, speaking of the quality of the produce of these 

 meadows, says, &quot; There is reason to believe that water-meadow hay is not good 

 for horses working on wind ; but for all other purposes it is quite good. On ac 

 count of its succulency, the grass is difficult to be made into hay, and requires 

 much time. Horses of every description, and cattle, thrive greatly on the 

 meadows themselves ; and I should say that, unless they give the rot to sheep, 

 they are the most wholesome pasture for them, as well as for horses and cattle ; 

 but my meadows are all perfectly dry.&quot; 



f &quot; The value of the land has been raised from the annual sum of 80 to that 



