\'J] FORM NEW WATERED -ME AD 5. 303 



the whole below the level on one side of the river, 

 then he must compare the expence of the carrier 

 with the superiority of the profit of watering the 

 most favourable fields, rather than others nearer 

 not offering in themselves an equal advantage. In 

 most cases, the benefit of watering at pleasure is 

 greater than the expence of making the carrier. 

 And in this point there is also another considera- 

 tion of great moment ; though the river may not 

 afford plenty of water in summer, or very dry years, 

 yet it may abound in winter, and watering at that 

 season alone is well worth the expence of all the 

 necessary works in most cases ; and this considera- 

 tion should influence him rather to extend his carrier, 

 than, by shortening it, be forced to water fields not 

 so well adapted as others at a greater distance : 

 probably the winter watering may go on through 

 the whole line. 



2. When such a level is taken as I have de- 

 scribed, there is often found below it a great va- 

 riety of soils and circumstances ; usually a low flat 

 range of meadows, perhaps wet and boggy, by the 

 side of the old river, and adjoining, and above 

 them slopes of pasture, and arable, it may be dry, 

 gravelly, sandy fields on various angles of declivity ; 

 bogs, ling moors, and in short, every sort of soil 

 and land ; so that the irrigator may chnse what he 

 pleases to work upon. Here he must be instructed, 

 that the lands usually chosen for the first opera- 

 tions, are just those that ought to be the last, viz. 

 the low flat meadows by the river. These are 

 often improyeable to a very high degree by drain- 

 in or 



