56 FALLOWING. 



the water from the springs which commonly run in on 

 every side ; or, it' convenient, they should be so placed 

 as to cut off the springs, by receiving theminto the ditch. 

 The months of August and September are best for this 

 work. The proper proportions for these kind of ditch- 

 es are, to be three times as wide at the top as they are 

 at the bottom, and a little more than half as deep as 

 they are wide. To prevent their falling in, it is advise- 

 able to sow some strong-rooted grass on the sides. The 

 most expeditious, effectual, and economical mode, where 

 the ground is not too miry, will be to use a plough and 

 ox-shovel. It is supposed that two men, a boy, and two 

 yoke of oxen, will accomplish more in a day, than six 

 men with only spades and shovels. With the scraper, 

 all the inequalities of the ground, upon the borders of 

 the ditch, can be conveniently filled up. 



Covered drains being considerably more expensive 

 thnn open ones, we do not think it necessary to describe 

 them here, but refer the readerto the Complete Grazier 

 or Plough Boy, 2d Vol. No. 35-6, for a full account of 

 them. 



IRRIGATION. 



The advantages of water to grass lands, are these : 

 it preserves a favourable degree of temperature ; im- 

 proves the crop, by the nourishing substances it con- 

 veys ; destroys weeds ; and, as a mere element it is ben- 

 Ciicial, more especially in dry seasons. It contributes 

 so much to their fertiiization, that it is rather surprising, 

 the pr.ictice ofirrigatioii lias not been more generally" 

 adopted. 



The common principle;^ of irrigation are, 



1st. Such command of water, as will cover the largest 

 surface with the least lai^ '>nr and expense. 



2d. Mud Iv water (the effect of loosened soil and heavy 

 roins) is most favourable lo vegetation, because, be-^i.les 

 gi\irg the necessary mci-ture, it furnishes a considera- 

 ble uoriion of alluvial matter. 



3d. Water charged with sand or gravel, or very hot 

 or very cold, is unfavourable to vegi^ation, and ought 

 not to hf> employed, until, by standing in reservoirs, it 

 depcs't^ thfse injurioas matters, i;i the one case, and in 

 the other, reiiuires tke temperiiture ©f the atmosphere. 



