EFFECTS OF IRRIGATION. 



98ft 



**This fieM trebled in value in fonr years. The table shows us 

 that nil the better grasses have increased, if we except the Poa 

 triviaUft and I/ordt'tnn jtriitoisc, in which cases there has been an 

 increase in grasses not poKsessing tlie best character. In the 

 first of these there is a decline in the fourth year. 



"Now if wo take into consideration the same set of facts, as 

 presented by herbs of other families, the alteration is still more 

 striking as attested by the following table: 



NAMES. 



I'KOPOKTIONS. 



Itefore Afturlwo 

 I .veiirs' 



' Irri|;atioii. 1 Irrigation. 



I 



Ranunculus acris. Meadow crowfoot 



Ranunculus btilbosus, Bulbous crowfoot 



Plantago lauceolata. Narrow leavetl plantain. 



Plantago media. Broad leaved plantain 



Tt'ifolium repeus, Dutdi clover . _ 



Trifoliitm pratcnse. Red clover. 



AnthriscuH vulgaris. Beaked parsley 



I 



3 

 1 

 1 

 

 

 2 



After fotir 



years' 

 Irrigation. 



1 







1 





 

 2 

 1 



•'* Now this table points out the important fact that large and 

 innutritions herbs in jtastures arc destroyed by irrigation, and 

 the jirevious one makes it clear that their places are supplied by 

 the grasses. 



••• Parsley and docks should be pulled as the latter is largely in- 

 creased by irrigation." 



In other words, we conclude that the best grasses are a sign of 

 good land or good treatment by nianuring or draining or irriga- 

 tion. They are the inost sensitive to good or bad treatment; 

 they are hearty feeders, and are the most exhaustive to the soil. 

 Sedges, rushes, mosses, ox-eye daisies, and most other weeds, 

 point to land that is out of order. 



