320 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. * 



and, for this ^climate, a far more desirable method is 

 adopted. 



The art of forming water-meadows has now attained 

 a high degree of perfection. It is probable that the 

 good effects of running streams, instead of stagnant 

 water, became gradually known in the course of long 

 experience ; yet the reasons why irrigation is so bene- 

 ficial are even at the present day imperfectly under- 

 stood. It is not merely for the supply of deficient 

 moisture that it is desirable, since the water is conveyed 

 over the surface of the land at a time when it would 

 not seem to be needed, namely, during the winter 

 months, when there is generally an excess of moisture. 

 And it is not for the sake of the deposit with which it 

 is charged ; for instead of being allowed to rest stagnant 

 on the soil, and deposit its sediment, it is maintained 

 in a constant flow over the surface. For this latter 

 purpose, there are especial contrivances in the forma- 

 tion of a water-meadow, as will presently be explained. 

 It must not be supposed that water-meadows, valu- 

 able as they are, can be made with advantage in any 

 low situation. There are several considerations to be 

 attended to before such meadows are formed ; namely, 

 whether the supply of water within reach will be suffi- 

 cient to keep the meadow thoroughly watered during 

 a dry season, and whether such a supply can be taken 

 freely without trenching on the right or convenience of 

 any other person. Also whether the water can be spared 

 from other important uses on the farm without injury 

 to cattle, or to machinery that may be worked by 

 water. These and similar queries being satisfactorily 

 answered, the meadows may then be laid out. 



Water-meadows are for the most part laid out on 

 the banks of rivers, and are best when they form a 

 gently-inclined plane. At the highest part of the 

 meadow, a capacious channel is formed with sloping 

 sides ; the earth from it being wheeled away to fill 

 up hollows in any other part of the field. This channel 



