168 



Lnproved System of Irrigation. 



of the new gutter used to fill in the old one, taking care not to 

 cram the old gutters too full. Bj this means the gutters are 

 always new and always the proper size. If cut on the right-h^ud 

 side and above one year, the next year they should be cut the 

 Z^^-hand side and beloio ; thus they will always retain their 

 original position, and be as efficient at any future period as they 

 were the first year they were made. 



The objection generally raised against this plan is, that the 

 only carriage-gutter being at the head (highest level) of the 

 watered ground, the best of the water is expended on the first 

 part of the meadow (which is generally the best and healthiest 

 land), and the lower part of the meadow (which we have said 

 might want it most) is irrigated with the water after having 

 been deprived of its best material. Such an objection is more 

 plausible than valid ; experience constantly denies that such is 

 the result. I have always seen the lower parts of meadows 

 formerly on the old system improve v/hen put under this 

 system, for however gutters on the old system might be provided 

 for carrying the water down to a certain place, the machinery is 

 so cumbrous that it is seldom used. I mean, there are so many 

 heavy stops and hays to be interfered with, to be removed, 

 adjusted, put in and readjusted, and so on, that it is seldom 

 undertaken — seldom or never used. What is wanted is a ma- 

 chinery that can be used readily — with pleasure and not with 

 difficulty. The plan I advocate is just such a thing ; it is easy 

 to use, and, therefore, pleasant to do ; and, for that reason, sure 

 to be done. And I shall presently show that it is quite effectual 

 for the purpose even of carrying the water fully charged with 

 matter in solution to the extreme distance desired. 



In the first place, I must admit that the stones, gravel, grit, and 

 even sticks and leaves with which a stream might be charged in 

 case of flood, would not be carried to the extreme end of a 

 meadow by the means I employ ; but then I say they ought not ; 

 and I may add, in the case of the old plan, they are not; for 

 although gutters are cut ostensibly for the purpose, they never 

 answer to the effect of carrying the heavy material. This is 

 much better than allowing violent gushes of water to create a 

 number of artificial hills and gullies in the usual way. It is well 

 known (to those w^ho know practically anything about it) that, 

 when water is allowed to descend a gutter in a full violent stream, 

 it frets the earth aAvay from the sides and bottom of the gutter, and 

 the material is washed down to settle when the current ceases to 

 rush, thus causing two unsightly evils — a deep gully in one place, 

 and an inconvenient hillock in another. 



It will be proper now to call attention to the manner in which 

 the water is carried, with its suspended matter, to the extrem^e end 



