On the making of Watering Ponds. 43 



As soon as this operation has been duly performed, the whole surface 

 of the clay is covered, to about the thickness of a foot, with broken 

 chalk, fine gravel, or the chippings of mouldering stone, or limestone, 

 to prevent any injury being done by the treading of the cattle. It is 

 necessary to observe, that coarse stones must not to be made use of, 

 as they are liable to be displaced by the treading of cattle. They are 

 also liable to be pressed into, or through the bed of clay, or to be roll- 

 ed down to the bottom of the pond ; under all which circumstances, 

 the beds of clay and lime are liable to be broken, and the water conse- 

 quently let out of the pond. Sometimes the clay is covered with sods, 

 the grass side being laid downwards, as a support to the gravel, by 

 which some saving of covering may be made ; or several inches thick 

 of common earth is laid upon them, or upon the clay without the sods, 

 by way of bed for the covering, where gravel, or such like materials, 

 may be scarce, by which something may be also saved. 



After the clay has been well beaten, some workmen water the sur- 

 face of it, and fold sheep or pigs for a considerable time upon it ; the 

 treading of which is found to be serviceable, in rendering it more com- 

 pact. 



Some people, instead of using slaked lime, employ good mortar, 

 made of lime and sand, well worked together, with which they cover 

 the surface of the ground, to the thickness of about an inch. This, if 

 carefully done, is thought to be the most effectual mode of rendering 

 the bottom retentive ; but the mortar is liable to crack before the clay 

 gets bedded over it, which must be carefully guarded against. Ponds 

 have been made, where a coat of mortar has also been spread over the 

 surface of the clay, as well as under it, an approach perhaps as near 

 as possible to perfection : but where lime bears an high price, the ex- 

 pense is thus considerably augmented. 



The best season for making these ponds, is thought to be in autumn, 

 as they are then likely to be filled the soonest, and are least liable to 

 crack before they are filled. Should the weather prove dry at the 

 time they are finished, it is well to cover their surface with straw, or 

 litter, to hinder them from cracking. 



These ponds are usually made at the foot of some declivity, where, 

 after heavy rains, a slight run of water may be conveyed into them, 

 from some road, or other firm surface; but many are placed without any 

 such assistance for filling, or with very little, it being found, that the 

 rain that falls upon their surface is, in general, sufficient for a supply, 

 after they have been once filled. As it is desirable to get them filled, 

 as soon as possible after they are finished, snow is frequently collect- 

 ed and heaped upon them, if possible in large quantities, the first 

 winter after they are finished for that purpose. 



Ponds of this kind, are usually made by what may be called pro- 

 fessional people ; men who go about for the purpose, and are chiefly 

 or entirely engaged in it, and usually contract for the job. One of 

 the diameter of sixty feet, and depth of six feet, may in most situa- 

 tions be executed for about L.I 5 ; one of forty-five feet by five feet, 

 for L.10 or L.I 2 ; but some allowance must be made for the diffe- 



