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Improved System of Irrigation. 



The producer generally has neither the capital nor the know- 

 ledge required in such a manufacture ; neither could the manu- 

 facturer, on the other hand, supply himself entirely, even were he to 

 invest a portion of his capital away from his own special calling. 

 He, no doubt, could and would farm well ; but in order to keep 

 his machinery in motion, he would require the produce of an 

 entire district. Apart from all manufacturing calculations, it 

 would appear to us that the establishment of such a manufacture 

 would be productive of benefit to the district, inasmuch as a 

 ready market would be obtained for a paying crop, — an improved 

 system of agriculture would be generated in order to meet the 

 demands of the consumers, — and the successful application of 

 science in the factory would probably lead to its more general 

 introduction in the field. 



VII. — On an Improved System of Irrigation. By John Bickford, 

 Crediton, Devon. 



After nearly twenty years' experience of this system of watering 

 meadows in different situations, and under nearly every variety 

 of circumstance, I may without presumption judge of its value ; 

 and being confirmed by the experience of my neighbours, whose 

 opinions are entitled to respect, I venture to offer it to the con- 

 sideration of others, believing that the use of this system would 

 have the general effect of improving irrigated meadows in yearly 

 value from IO5. to 20^. per acre. I am confirmed in this opinion 

 by long experience, strengthened by the estimate made of it by 

 a few agriculturists who happen to have had their attention 

 drawn to it — persons well qualified to judge of such a matter. 



This system has the advantage over the common system of 

 obviating the necessity for large and frequent level gutters ; it has 

 the effect of continuing (and even causing) a smooth and uniform 

 surface to the meadow, allowing of the operations of mowing 

 and carting over the meadow without any sensible perception of 

 the existence of the gutters used for irrigation ; and also, that of 

 accelerating the speed of the water over the land when " turned 

 on," and the speedily draining the water from the surface when 

 "turned off." In fact, it becomes an instrument in the hands of 

 the irrigator, by means of which he can do with ease whatever 

 his judgment determines ought to be done. It also obviates that 

 waste of land occasioned by the usually large gutters. In fine, I 

 profess to say that it is every way better than the old system : it 

 can be done in half the time, and for less than half the expense. 



Without further preface, I shall proceed with the details of 

 the plan, and shall endeavour to make it cjuite intelligible. The 



