NOV.] WATER MEADOWS. 513 



whole arable farms ; but, in all enclosed counties, they 

 occupy a great space. It is highly expedient that- 

 such land, as it cannot be applied to the profit of 

 the fields themselves, be reduced as much as- pos- 

 sible ; that is, be no wider than requisite for a horse 

 to turn at 'the end of the furrow in ploughing ; but 

 in many farms this is no rule, and borders over- 

 run with rubbish, such as thorns, brambles, thistles, 

 and other trumpery, spread into the fields, to a width 

 that usurps a quantity of land which ought to be 

 appropriated to more profitable purposes. 

 FOLDING. 



If folding be the system pursued, and this month 

 proves wet, you must leave off for the arable lauds 

 and begin with the dry grass fields. Many farmers 

 stop about this time for the winter ; but that is bad 

 management : the idea that winter folding is of but 

 little use is a mistake. Winter is a proper season for 

 manuring grass lands which you could not fold in 

 summer ; nor does winter folding on very dry grass 

 land do such harm to the sheep as arable folding, and 

 the benefit to the land is great. You may manure 

 mossy ground often, before you destroy that weed ; but 

 the treading of the sheep at the same time that the dung 

 and urine are dropped, completely destroys it : and 

 this manuring is more adapted to turf, than dung to 

 be spread on the surface, which is troublesome to get 

 in. 



WATER MEADOWS. 



In this month you may begin to winter water the 

 meadows and pastures, wherever it can be done ; and 

 be assured that no improvement will pay better : a 



L 1 winter's 



