rjfOr&amp;gt;t/l Lund. J7 &quot;(tterfd 3/&amp;lt;i(idwfr$^Si : 



The fact is unqucflionably eftablifhcd, that the .vatcr of rivers which run through 

 comparatively level and fertile countries is not only better than that of fuch as have 

 their courfcs through mountainocs unproductive trac&quot;ls, but fupcrior to all others, 

 as every different ftreamlet ackis a new acceHion of fertilising nrvrriab, which., 

 difpei fed over the far face of the meadows in thcrr fine and attenuated frutr, cann-jt 

 avoid adding a confiderablc degree of improvement to rhc lands. 



Winter and fpring are the two feafom: \vhen meadows are ufually \vatcred, 

 as from the month of November till the beginning of March ; the experience of 

 theoperator can alone regulate this proceeding as to the length of time they ftiouM 

 remain under water. In fome di ft rifts the water is allowed to (low over the fields 

 for feveral weeks together, with only the interval of a day or two occalionally ; 

 in others, the practice is to flood than the alternate weeks. When frofts fct ii. 

 floating is ufually fufpendcd : but it has been remarked that in Rich cafes the fuc- 

 ceeding crop of grafs has been abundant. As the fpring advances, much left 

 iioating is found to be neceflary. However, in all cafes, when floating is per 

 formed to advantage, the meadows fhould be laid dry between every water 

 ing. 



On the fandy, gravelly, and drier kinds of land, the water is directed not to re 

 main fo long at a time upon the land as in thofe of the heavier kinds. In the latter 

 forts Mr. Wright thinks three weeks long enough, but Mr. Bofwell advifcs a 

 month, or even fix weeks, in the firft waterings, about November : but a fome-r 

 thing (hortcr time for thofe of the former fort. In December and February Mr. 

 Wright recommends the land to be let dry for the purpofe of air fora few days, 

 and in February particular attention is advifed not to permit the water to flow over 

 the ground many days together without being taken off, as there may be danger 

 from white fcum being formed ; and if the land be left expofed to froft in its wet 

 ftateitmaybe injured in that way. Thefe different inconveniences, it is faid^ 

 may be avoided by taking the water off in the day time, and turning it upon the 

 lands during the night.* Mr. Bofwell does not, however, fcem to apprehend any 

 danger in this way. 



About March there will moftly be a fufficient bite of grafs to admit the lands 

 being fed by ftock : the water mould, therefore, be turned off for a fortnight, 

 to give it fufficient ftrmnefs before they are turned in. -During the following 



* Wright on Floating Meadow?. 



