206 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



out the coarse grass and various weeds. This, in all its bearings, 

 is the best part of Italian rural economy. Plowing is done early 

 in March, and before the close of this month the seed is sown. 

 Then comes on the surface irrigation. Soon after follows the 

 weeding of the young plants. To this unhealthy task, groups of 

 female peasants may be seen wading in the water and plunging 

 down their hands, while crowds of idle spectators are gazing 

 over this arena of toil and death. When the plant reaches the 

 milky state, and the water is let off, then spring uj) a troup of 

 fevers that decimate the inhabitants. Subterranean irrigations 

 often takes place here on alluvial lands, but not continued on 

 the most approved methods. To succeed with this kind of irri- 

 gation, the ground must be cut into dykes; these ai'c filled with 

 water, which by a thousand secret ducts completely saturate the 

 soil and aid it to give out its nourishment. Irrigation was followed 

 in Italy from remote ages. Virgil, who makes allusions to it in 

 those admirable lines " et quam exustus ager morientihus herhis 

 estuat ecce I Supei'cilio clivosi tramitis undam elicit. Geo. 1. 

 107. 



Who can count the blessings that must come to land panting 

 with a dying herbage from the gentle rills stealing over it after 

 nightfall, when a morning sun greets it in a most lively green 1 

 Italy, like Palestine, has from time immemorial, highly appreci- 

 ated this fertile source of fruitfulness and wise economy. 



The attention of the reader has been already called to the fact 

 that the country abounds in artificial water-courses, but tliis is 

 almost solely done for irrigation. A judicious system of drain- 

 age is unknown among the Italians. Yet few countries could de- 

 rive more benefit from this kind of husbandry. The face of the 

 country is singularly adapted for reclaiming the morass from 

 sterility into a soil fitted for the growth of wheat or any of the 

 artificial grasses. Many unhealthy locations are made so by 

 stagnant water, which by a little management might teem with 

 fertility and health; but the bulk of the people, poor and de- 

 pressed, heed not employments, and much less provide against 

 the elements of their destruction. 



It is a great pity that they would not leave off their old no- 

 tions of farming, and go over to England where they can see the 

 stiff clay soils, by good drainage, become loose and friable. Where 

 once the plow has passed through, and this tear soon closed, but 

 under proper drainage it has become a rich mellow soil, the re- 

 ward of enterprise and industry. Another handmaid to drainage 



