23- YORKSHIRE. 293 



underdrawing* if requifite, the bogs they have 

 formed ; by which means many fertile 

 patches might, it is probable, be pro- 

 duced. 



Another fpecie; of melioration applicable 

 to the reclaiming of thefe waftes is watering 

 flooding. I have obferved where the waters 

 of hollow-ways, &c. break out over the black 

 earth, a covering of grafs takes place. AU 

 moft all the bottoms of the vallies and fkirts 

 of the hills might be flooded with the fprings 

 and rivulets which lie above them. 



Thofe who are unacquainted with the 

 practice of flooding will doubt the efficacy 

 of the waters of fyrings and char rivulets ; 

 while thofe who are verfed in it would fmile 

 at their want of information. I have feen 

 waters perfectly limpid produce the happieft 

 effect. It is not the colour^ but the intrinfic 

 quality, of water which fits it for the pur- 

 pofe of melioration. Any water, which is 

 not in its nature poifonous to plants, has, if 

 properly thrown over grafsland in the fpring 

 and fummer months, a beneficial effect. 

 Whether the fprings and rivulets in queftion 

 U 3 would 



