E ««r ] 



in a state of nature. The corn land is in general good, and the 

 watered meadows in the parishes of Crowcombe, Stogumber, Monk- 

 silver, Nettleeomb, Dinniford, Dunstcr, Dulverton, &c. are as 

 good as any in the county. If we appreciate land by its capacity 

 to keep stock throughout the year, watered meadows are invalu- 

 able, and it is to be hoped that the different reports, which will 

 no doubt be sent to the Board of their importance, will induce a 

 general application of water, wherever it be of good quality, and 

 there is a possibility of conveying it. A great part of these wa- 

 tered meadows lie on steep declivities, and as the water passes 

 quickly over them, and never lies stagnant, not a rush can be seen ; 

 this is not always the case in low water meadows, which for want 

 of proper draining are much incommoded by them. Meadows 

 which lie in a low situation and nearly on a level, should be thrown 

 up into convex beds about thirty or forty feet wide, along the 

 ridges of which the water should be conveyed, flowing regularly 

 at the different outlets, and having a .free passage in the trenches 

 lying between the beds. 



The expence of doing this seldom exceeds six or seven pounds 

 per acre, and the benefit is frequently twenty or thirty shillings 

 per acre per annum. 



Excepting those instances where water passes through a town, 

 or after sudden floods carries with it rich particles of vegetative 

 matter, the lands receiving it near the spring head, are supposed 

 to be the most benefited, and the quicker it is made to pass over 

 the land, and the greater the impetus given by a large quantity 

 thrown at once, the quicker, and more powerful are the effects. 



The first watering commences in November, and is continued 

 with regular intermissions from that time to February. These 

 meadows are frequently, in this temperate climate, fit to receive 

 ewes and lambs, as early as Candlemas, and a constant and regular 

 succession of food from that time to the beginning of May, enables 

 the farmer to view his flock wilh the utmost complacency,, and to 

 look with pity on his neighbours, destitute of such a resource in 

 these trying months. 



At the beginning of May, the land is unstocked and watered ; 

 after six or seven weeks they mow from thirty cwt. to forty cwt. 

 per acre. 



• Estimate 



