WATER-MEADOWS. 



321 



is called the main conductor, as it is that which first 

 receives the water of the river, and from whence it 

 is conducted all over the meadow. At right angles 

 with this main conductor are various smaller channels, 

 or feeders, into which the water flows. These are a 

 foot or more in width, and about four or five inches 

 deep where they issue from the main conductor, gra- 

 dually lessening afterwards. In order to turn the 

 water into these channels, a wear, or dam, is built 

 across the river, and the water is introduced at the 

 highest part. 



The channels yet described only provide for bringing 

 the water into the meadow, but there is also a series of 

 channels made for the opposite purpose of carrying the 

 water off, and thus a constant flow is kept up, and no 

 stagnant water remains. Thus, between the feeders 

 there are drains at regular intervals, small at their 

 commencement, and gradually enlarging until they 

 join the main drain, which is a large channel corre- 

 sponding to the main 

 conductor, and convey- 

 ing the water back again 

 to the river. 



Now, the manage- 

 ment of the water, and 

 the keeping up a regu- 

 lar flow over the surface 

 of the meadow, should 

 be the business of some 

 experienced person. To 

 keep the water at "the 

 necessary level, it is in- 

 terrupted in its course by what are termed stops, placed 

 in the feeders. These are either small wooden hatches, 

 or else merely pieces of turf fastened down with wooden 

 pins. The feeders are formed on the top of low ridges ; 

 the drains in the hollow ; and this arrangement further 

 aids in keeping up the flow of water. 



COMMON TORM 07 WATER-MEADOW. 



