i tOOBlNG LAND. 



20j 



-ground may be dried so early as to be fit lor tillage crops. 

 And ditching flooded lands, at least round the borders, will be 

 necessary to lay them dry enowgh for tillage. 



As standing water catches dust from the atmosphere, and 

 always contains more or less of the finest particles of soil, it 

 deposits a rich eedement ^ a fat slime therefore, will remain 

 on the surface after the water is removed. And a time should 

 be chosen for drawing it off, when'the air is calm, and the wa- 

 ter clearest, that as little aquantity as possible of the food of 

 the plants may pass off with it. Such land is no more liable to 

 suffer by drouglitthan the fertile land of Egypt, which is year- 

 ly enriched by the overflowing of the Nile. 



Though winter flooding does not suit the nature of good gras- 

 ses, a few days flooding hi the spring and fall will not hurt 

 "them, but will enrich the soil and so promote their growth. 

 The soil will have the same advantage as intervale, which is 

 made rich and fruitful by occasional flooding; and even a 

 greater advantage, as the water may be removed and applied 

 at pleasure." 



