278 NATURAL HISTORY. 



may be doubted, whether the covering of the ground 

 with brakes in the beginning of the winter, whereof 

 we spake in the last experiment, helpeth it not, by 

 reason of the warmth. Nay, some very good hus 

 bands do suspect, that the gathering up of flints in 

 flinty ground, and laying them on heaps, which is 

 much used, is no good husbandry, for that they 

 would keep the ground warm. 



600. The sixth help of ground is by watering 

 and irrigation, which is in two manners ; the one by 

 letting in and shutting out waters at seasonable 

 times : for water at some seasons, and with reason 

 able stay, doth good ; but at some other seasons, and 

 with too long stay, doth hurt : and this serveth only 

 for meadows which are along some river. The other 

 way is, to bring water from some hanging grounds 

 where there are springs, into the lower grounds, car 

 rying it in some long furrows ; and from those fur 

 rows, drawing it traverse to spread the water. And 

 this maketh an excellent improvement, both for corn 

 and grass. It is the richer, if those hanging grounds 

 be fruitful, because it washeth off some of the fat 

 ness of the earth ; but howsoever it profiteth much. 

 Generally where there are great overflows in fens, 

 or the like, the drowning of them in the winter 

 maketh the summer following more fruitful : the 

 cause may be, for that it keepeth the ground warm, 

 and nourisheth it. But the fen-men hold, that the 

 sewers must be kept so as the water may not 

 stay too long in the spring till the weeds and sedge 

 be grown up ; for then the ground will be like a 



