1782. NORFOLK. 89 



for while any part of the black moory peat- 5 1 . 



bog foil lies in contact with water, the whole MEADOWS. 

 will, like a fpongc, be filled with moiiture : 

 and it is in vain to attempt to render the fur- 

 face dry, while the bottom remains in water. 

 Therefore, drains deeper than the bed of 

 moor are cflfentially neceiTary. 



Meadows have generally a rivulet running 

 through them : this, although it may have worn 

 itfelf down to the gravel, Ihould neverthelefs 

 (as it in general may) be confiderably deepened; 

 enough to low r cr the furface of the water below 

 the moor ; and {till enough more to allow for a 

 defcent in the drains to be laid into it. 



The rivulet ihould be deepened (as fhould all 

 "water-work" be performed) in autumn; 

 when the foil is in its firmeft Hate : not in the 

 fpring (as is the almoft univerfal practice), when 

 the moor is fopped with water, and the quick- 

 fands all alive. 



The rivulet, or other common Ihore, being 

 lowered , and the fand OF gravel (if any) fpread 

 over the adjoining moor (or, if a bad mould, 

 uied to level the inequality), and the furface- 

 water (if any) let off into the fhore ; the mea- 

 dows ought to remain in this ftate until the 

 cnfuing autumn j by which time the lower mar- 

 gins, 



