169 



its fonnation as any in the kingdom ; but 

 that it is therefore the most productive, I 

 dare not venture to say, for fertihty de^ 

 pends more on other causes, than on ex- 

 quisite nicety of construction. There is 

 no doubt, however, of this meadow's af- 

 fording an abundant remuneration to its 

 owner; though the expense must have 

 been great, I beheve fifteen guineas per 

 acre, as the land, before it was formed 

 into a meadow, was httle better than a 

 bed of rushes ; but will now, I am told, 

 be worth more than three pounds per 

 acre. This specimen of perfection, how- 

 ever, is not here introduced as a general 

 model, but only for the imitation of such 

 gentlemen as enjoy the ample means and 

 liberal mind of Mr, Talbot. 



» 

 There is still an inferior order of ditches, 

 called trenches, requisite in the art of 

 floating, whose olfiQe it is to convey the 



water 



