On Grass Land. 409 



streams or rivers ; and low lying tracts, situated in the val- 

 Jeys of mountainous districts. 



The subject of water meadows, has been already so fully 

 discussed, (Chap. 3. Sect. 8. p. 271. On Irrigation), that 

 it is unnecessary here to dwell upon it. It may be proper, 

 however, to observe, that the waters employed for irriga- 

 tion in England, passing through much fertile land, and 

 .being often impregnated with the putrid stores of towns and 

 cities, are commonly rich, and that there is also a ready 

 market for the produce ; whereas in Scotland, the water is 

 of a less enriching quality, and the market for the produce is 

 more confined. Hence in Eskdale, where irrigation was in- 

 troduced by the Buccleugh family, the practice has declined, 

 and though, in one or two instances retained, the water-mea- 

 dows have in general been ploughed up for corn. Irrigation 

 on slopes, on the catch-work system, however, is increasing 

 in that district ( 3 7 ), and will always succeed, where there is 

 L porous subsoil. Indeed, nothing is of more importance to 

 the success of irrigation, than to have the roots of the plants 

 freed from stagnant water, and this is of more importance 

 than the quality of the water. 



The marsh lands on the borders of rivers, and along the 

 ,sea-shores in England, are of considerable magnitude, and 

 not, as in Scotland, of a limited size, and scarcely entitled to 

 any particular notice. In Kent alone, they contain lands to 

 the following extent, 



Acres. 



Romney Marsh, i r w b *:* - 44,000 



Borders of the river Stour, - 27,000 



Borders of the Medway, the Thames, the Swale, &c. 11,500 



Total, 82,500 



They are used either for breeding sheep, or for fattening 

 cattle or sheep, and are thus beneficially occupied. 



Land apt to be overflowed by streams or rivers, ought 

 certainly to be embanked, and when protected from inunda- 

 tion, might be brought into cultivation; but unless thorough- 

 ly drained, as well as protected, it is perhaps better calcula- 

 ted, for being converted into permanent meadow, than culti- 

 vated as arable land. 



In regard to low lying tracts, in the valleys of mountainous 

 countries, particularly in chalky districts, it is of such im- 

 portance to have them preserved for hay, and occasionally 

 for pasture, that it would not be advisable to bring them in- 

 to cultivation. In such tracts, old meadow land is rarely to 



