WA TER-MEADO WS. 297 



minor ducts, through which the water is distributed. The fields 

 are divided by low walls, so that the water can be retained upon 

 them as long as is desired, and then drawn off to a lower level. 

 Commonly, a series of meadows, held by different farmers, are 

 flooded from one source, and old custom or agreement fixes the 

 date of commencing the irrigation and the period of time at which 

 the water shall be moved from one to another. 



The main flooding is usually given in October, after the grass 

 has been closely eaten off by neat stock. It is then allowed to 

 remain resting or quietly flowing over the land for two or three 

 weeks ; or for two weeks, and, after an interval of a day or two, 

 for two weeks more. This consolidates the grassy surface, and 

 encourages the growth of roots. The grass springs and grows 

 luxuriantly after it, and, as soon as it is observed to flag, the 

 water is again let in for two or three weeks ; it may be twice 

 during the winter. Whenever a scum is observed to form, indi- 

 cating that decomposition is commencing below, the water is im- 

 mediately drawn. In warm weather this will occur very soon, 

 perhaps in a day or two. I believe it is intended not to allow 

 the water ever to freeze upon the meadows. In the spring, by 

 the middle of March, sometimes, sheep and lambs are turned on 

 to the grass. After being fed pretty closely, they are removed, 

 and the meadows are left for a crop of hay. They are ready for 

 mowing in less than two months, and are then, after a short in- 

 terval, pastured again with horned cattle and horses. Some 

 meadows are never pastured, and yield three heavy crops of 

 hay. Mr. Pusey (a member of Parliament) declares, that he 

 keeps sheep upon his water-meadows, in Berkshire, at the rate 

 of thirty-six an acre, well fed, and intimates his belief that the 

 produce of grass-land is doubled by irrigation. Grass and hay, 

 however, from irrigated meadows, are of slightly less nourishing 

 quality. It is generally said, that a single winter's flooding will 



