MAY. 305 



the better. I have heard farmers express them- 

 selves well pleased at finding that their sheep had 

 eaten almost into the ground, as they said the 

 meadow would be the better, and the crop of hay 

 of the finer quality : the observation is general for 

 all spring- feed ing. Immediately on clearing, Mr. 

 Boswell directs a week's watering, v\ith careful 

 examination of every trench and drain ; and the 

 water shifted into other meadows in succession, 

 alternately watering and draining ; and lessening 

 the time the water remains on the land, as the 

 weather grows warmer, and in five, six, or seven 

 weeks, they will be fit to mow for hay. But at 

 Downampney, in Gloucestershire, they do not water 

 at this season, as they say it is this summer flood* 

 ing which alone causes the rot in sheep. To water, 

 appears, notwithstanding, greatly preferable. 



FORM NEW WATERED-MEADS. 

 In situations that possess plenty of water, with 

 meadows for receiving it, they may be formed at 

 any time in the year except in severe frosts; but 

 when there is any dcrubt of the quantity of water 

 being sufficient, the safer way (if any large expences 

 are in contemplation) is to begin the work in a sea* 

 son when the undertaker is not liable to be much 

 deceived : this may be the case in any month, if 

 the preceding period has been remarkably wet: 

 allowance muU, however, be made for any such, 

 accidental circumstance ; aYid it will be a good pre- 

 caution jnot to lay Qut any large extent of meadow, 



x tiil 



