On Irrigation. 281 



then, if it be well made, the hay is of a nourishing and 

 milky quality, either for ewes or dairy cows. It has like- 

 wise been given to horses, and when properly made, they 

 thrive upon it ( 438 ). 



It is proper, however, to observe, that from the great 

 succulence of the herbage, the making of water-meadow 

 hay, requires a very considerable degree of attention ( 439 ); 

 and that when the grass from which it is made, has been 

 over-watered, or rendered impure by scum or mud ; or when 

 the hay has been ill made in the meadow, or injured in the 

 stacks, it will be hurtful to any stock to which it is given : 

 but that altogether originates from mismanagement ; and it 

 has been found by experience, that cows, if they do not fatten 

 so well, yet give much more milk from hay produced by ir- 

 rigation, if cut early, and having much more softness and 

 succulency, than any hay produced from grass-lands, that 

 have not been irrigated ( 44 ). 



;>,( r-..i:;i7h 

 1 1 . Objections urged against Irrigation. 



Some have asserted, that water-meadows render a coun- 

 try unhealthy, by making the water stagnant; but no opi- 

 nion can be more erroneous. In fact, where meadows are 

 irrigated, the water must constantly be passing over the 

 surface, with a brisk current, and always kept in motion, to 

 be of any service. Many of the best meadows also, in their 

 original state, were unwholesome morasses, the draining of 

 which, has essentially contributed to the salubrity of the 

 air( 44i ). 



Others think, that though the produce may be increased, 

 it becomes in a few years of so coarse a nature, being mixed 

 with rushes and coarse plants, that cattle frequently refuse 

 to eat it, and that the appearance of cattle so fed proclaims, 

 that it is far from being of a nutritious quality ( 44 *). But 

 this objection is never applicable to meadows skilfully made, 

 and properly managed ; and whenever the grasses are coarse, 

 they should be cut earlier, if intended for hay. The growth 

 of rushes and water plants is a proof, that the meadow lies 

 too flat, and is ill managed. 



12. Advantages of Irrigation. 



Where the situation is favourable, the following benefits 

 result from the practice of irrigation. 1. With the excep- 

 tion of warping, it is by far the easiest, cheapest, and most 



