60 
Farming of Cambridgeshire. 
across it, and use the waters for the purpose of irrigation. The 
quantity of land thus watered is about 300 acres, and although an 
interval of 287 years has elapsed since this introduction of irriga- 
tion, I think I am correct in stating that this example has not 
been followed in any instance in the neighbourhood, except on 
the banks of the Cam, on the borders of the county at Little- 
bury, in Essex, on the well managed estate of Lord Braybrooke : 
in this instance the waters of the Cam are used, as well as a 
small tributary stream running from Saffron- Walden, the water of 
which is considerably improved by the drainage from the sewers 
of the town. The quantity of grass produced by this system, and 
in this case, is extraordinary. These works are well executed, 
and do great credit to the noble proprietor.-^ 
The estate at Babraham is now in possession of Mr. Adeane ; 
and I would point out this village as worthy a visit from any of 
my brother farmers, as one in which they would find lands of 
little or no natural fertility rendered productive by the judicious 
application of capital, employed in carrying out the most im- 
proved systems of cultivation ; and I will pledge my word to 
them that they will be well repaid for a day's journey. The 
time of our landed proprietors would not be wasted in also paying 
this village a visit: they would find all the cottages clean and 
neatly built, and would have strong evidence of a degree of com- 
fort and cleanliness not to be excelled, if equalled, throughout 
the kingdom. Celebrated as Babraham no doubt was in the 
time of Queen Elizabeth, in consequence of the first introduction 
of irrigation, it has now, in the time of Queen Victoria, become 
ol much greater note by being the parish in which a tenant of 
Mr. Adeane's has reared and produced some of the best blood of 
Southdown sheep, from which the celebrated Babraham flock 
takes its name. Mr. Jonas Webb commenced his annual busi- 
ness of letting tups in the year ] 823 ; and most people are aware 
with what success his efforts to improve the breed have been 
crowned. He lets nearly 200 rams annually, and has been one 
of the most successful breeders of Southdown sheep. May he 
long be spared to his family and country to carry on the improve- 
ment in the breed of these useful animals ! 
The breed of Southdown sheep has much increased in this 
county of late years : several still prefer the white-faced Leicester 
or Lincoln. I neither like to see them on my land nor on my 
table. 
• On my return from our Meeting at Derby, 1 availed myself of the 
opportunity to go over the watered meadows at Clipston Park, belonging 
to the Duke of Portland, and I there saw really barren waste land made 
most valuable by irrigation : there, indeed, were seen the art, science, 
and ingenuity of man crowned with triumphant success. 
