[ 1 7° J 



Estimate of the 'value of such land. 



Spring feed from Candlemas to May-day 

 35 Cwt. of hay per acre, at 30s. per ton 

 After grass to November ..... 



Considering it as connected with a large sheep and corn farm,, 

 all estimates must be below its real value ; for it is well known, 

 that according to the probable plenty, or scarcity of food in the 

 months of February, March, and April, does a farmer apportion 

 his stock for the whole year. Should turnips fail, his only re- 

 source is the hay mow ; his ewes suffer, his lambs become stunted 

 and of little value. His meadow ground devoted to the scythe is 

 spring fed, whereby he surfers a diminution of ten hundred of hay 

 per acre. These are but a few of the many evils attendant on a 

 deficiency of food in the months beforementioned, and must raise 

 the importance of water meadow in the eyes of all discerning hus- 

 bandmen ; beside, these lands require no dressing, but will preserve 

 an undiminishing vegetation from year to year, and will enable 

 the farmer by means of the sheepfold, to enrich his other lands 

 without injury to these *. 



As the different modes of irrigation have been long before the 

 public in a treatise published by Mr. Boswel, of Piddletown in 

 Dorsetshire, and by other writers in different parts of the kingdom, 

 I shall not further enlarge upon this subject, than merely to caution 



* On the demesne of J. F. Luttrell, Esq. of Dunster Castle, a large tract of 

 land in a convertible course of tillage is manured with water. The usual rotation 

 of crops, is 1st. Wheat on the ley. 2d. Turnips. 3d. Barley and artificial 

 grasses. 



It is then suffered to remain in pasture two years, and during that time it is 

 st stated intervals regularly flooded by a stream descending from the adjacent 

 hills. 



The course is then renewed, and this has been the constant practice for many 

 years. 



The produce has been in general very considerable, (viz.) of wh«at furry or 

 fifty bushels, and of barley fifty and sixty bushels per acre, 



2 ihe 



