2QS FORM NEW WATERED-MEADS. [MAY. 



FORM NEW WATERED-MEADS. 

 In situations that possess plenty of water, with mea- 

 dows for receiving- it, they may be formed at any time 

 in the year except in severe frosts; but when there is 

 any doubt of the quantity of water being sufficient, 

 the safer way (if any large expences are in con- 

 templation) is to begin the work in a season when 

 the undertaker is not liable to be much deceived : 

 this may be the case in any month, if the preceding 

 period has been remarkably wet : allowance must, 

 however, be made for any such accidental circum- 

 stance ; and it will be a good precaution not to lay 

 out any large extent of meadow, till some experi- 

 ence has been had, that the quantity of water is 

 sufficient for the meditated work. As this is 

 (warping alone excepted) the greatest of all im- 

 provements, it is deserving of the greatest consi- 

 deration and study of the water and land before a 

 beginning is made. I should recommend, in the 

 first instance, the employment of a professed irri- 

 gator, could the young farmer possess knowledge 

 enough to ascertain the skill of such a man ; but I 

 have lately seen such gross blunders made in Nor- 

 folk In surh an one, on the farms of four or live 

 persons, and yet highly recommended, and com- 

 ing from Gloucestershire, that I really think a man 

 may just as well trust to himself, with the assist- 

 ance of book o put any faith in men who are 

 reputed skilful only in proportion to the ignorance 

 of those who employ them. In the cases to which 

 I allude, this ignorance was unpardonable ; for as 



they 



