WARPING.
These points must be well understood, because they form a very prominent fea ture in the practice of irrigation, and will be found highly worthy the notice of all who Iay their lands down with that in tention. But we must observe, that many soils laying contiguous to streams, and well situated for irrigation, are naturally so rich, as not to depend on any deposit from the waters for their annual produce : such require but moderate watering, and, in some instances, more to be sheltered cluringthe winter by complete inundation, than by refreshing flows. Where such prevail, the water ought to be admitted only when clear, and then from the very surface ; in contra-distinction to poor, or dry soils, which want heart as well as moisture. The fact N that, by means of an artificial supply of water, the grass will shoot out far more early, which is an object of the utmost importance to most farmers and graziers; and the crop will be much heavier than on lands not so watered. But the hay from watered meadows is frequently coarse, and not much relished by the more delicate clas ses of cattle. However, store cattle, which indeed scarcely ever refuse what ever is offered, will consume it with avidity. Another objection to hsy from watered meadows is, that, being some times gritty, in consequence of the sedi ment deposited by muddy water, it is in a measure injurious to the teeth of those animals by which it is eaten. But the great importance of an early bite, for at least a month, in general, before other pastures are sufficiently forward to re ceive cattle, is of itself such a considera tion as outweighs every objection, and causes watered meadows to yield double the rent given before they were subjected to irrigation. In many places the grass of watered meadows, from the fifteenth of March to the fifteenth of May, lets from twenty to twenty-five shillings per acre. The crop is usually two tons, in all seasons : in dry ones it is not subject to the ordinary risk of being burnt up ; and, not only proves highly serviceable to the farmer himself, but to his neigh bours ; who thus obtain a supply of hay, when their own meadows have failed.
When land has been long watered, its qualities are meliorated considerably ; but this is not the work of a day ; and when the adjoining lands abound with coarse herbage, with water grasses espe cially, the crops will too frequently suf fer by such vicinity. It will, at first view, appear strange, but it is nevertheless true, that swampy lands become firmer when regularly watered. In their natural state the water oozes upwards, and loosens the soil ; but after the proper levels are found, and the catch drains are laid, so as to draw off the surplus water, the moisture is drawn downwards, and the finer parts get into the interstices, so as to compact the whole, and give a firm footing, where before even a sheep would have been bogged. We must, however, state, that though some watered meadows will bear cattle, it is by no means adviseable to let any thing heavier than a sheep feed upon them : the latter do little injury to the ridges, and by their close bite, as well as by their excellent manure, cause the grass to tiller forth, so as to form a close mat upon the soil. Whereas when large animals are allowed to tramp on the ridges, the borders of the drains are in general injured ; and whenever, as will happen, the prints of their feet are left, the soil will become quaggy, and retain little pools, which in fallably sour the grass, and negative the intention of watering. Herte clay soils are extremely difficult to improve by this operation ; nor can suchbe reclaimed but by a very expensive course of drain ing, manuring, and breaking into a crum bly state : certainly clay soils may be formed into ridges, and grass may be made to grow upon them ; but they will not produce sweet herbage ; their sur faces will crack, their crops will be pre carious, and their seasons for feeding must depend entirely on the dryness of the weather. Hence we may, in general terms, consider clay soils to be unfit for irrigation ; the expense being great, and the money being more likely to yield a greater profit by other means ; while their crops and pasturage are, in various points, of an inferior value.