322 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



Frequently the water which has irrigated one mea- 

 dow is not returned to the river at once, but is con- 

 veyed to other meadows on a lower level. When this 

 is the case, the main drain of one field serves as a main 



SECTION OF A RIDGE WITH FEEDER AND TWO DRAINS. 



conductor to the next, and the water is conveyed 

 from it by means of feeders all over the surface of the 

 lower meadow, whence it is again collected by drains, 

 and perhaps goes to irrigate a third meadow. This 

 is an economical use of the water, and the benefits 

 appear to be quite as great to the lowest as to the 

 highest meadow of the system. Although a certain 

 amount of deposit will no doubt occur, and be highly 

 beneficial to the soil, yet the mere watering, even where 

 there is scarcely any perceptible deposit, is of great use, 

 and its results are most satisfactory. 



The form of water-meadow above described is con- 

 sidered the best, as well as the simplest ; but in some 

 cases the surface of the field slopes so much that another 

 plan is adopted. The feeders, instead of being at right 

 angles with the main conductor, are carried across the 

 line of descent, so that as they are severally filled, they 

 overflow the lower side of the banks, and are not dis- 

 charged into drains, but into the next feeder lower 

 down. This sort of arrangement is called catch-work, 

 and is sometimes combined with the former method 

 when there are inequalities of surface. In either case 

 substantial sluices are necessary to keep the water out 

 of the meadow when it is not wanted, and also to 

 allow one part of the meadow to be watered, if neces- 

 sary, while the other is left dry. 



In the first formation of a water-meadow, if the land 

 has been in permanent pasture, the turf should be 

 taken off, and laid aside for use, while the soil beneath 



