210 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



moderate wet weatlier in winter, I can keep 

 the pools up to their brim, with about from three 

 to four bricks. If there is the chance of a flood 

 mastering the usual confines, the removal of two 

 or three bricks opens a valve to entire safet}^ 

 The wet weather over, the bricks are replaced, 

 and all becomes full as usual. 



AVillows of anv kind will not o^row on these 

 peaty-flavoured banks, even when the banks are 

 artificially made, and, of course, their roots 

 always moist — not even the common copse 

 willow, which was recommended some time ago 

 in the Fidd as a nevv^ sort, under the denomina- 

 tion of the '' bitter willow." I saw specimens 

 of this Fleld-hovii '^new willow'' growing in 

 the garden of a most intelligent tenant of Mr. 

 Vere Fane Benett's, of Pyt House, where the 

 tenant assured me that his cattle Avould not touch 

 it. In texture, twig, and growtli, in my own 

 mind, I recognized it as the common copse 

 willow, and being well aware of the occasional 

 impositions practised by some designing corre- 

 spondents through the public press, against which 

 sufficient authority is not interposed, I asked my 

 friend to give me a few cuttings to take home 



