The following observations on this subject, are sub mitted to the reader's consideration, as the result of my experience, viz. That natural perennial red clover pros pers in watered meadows, consisting of haugh soil, with a clue proportion of marl or lime, either in the soil, or in the stream; but the common broad red clover speedily dies out ; that the plants of 1161cu6 tuna/al (soft vernal, woolly, or meadow grass) prosper in any soft soil, espe cially if it be also watered: that /Jou trivia/is (common i)oa, or rough stalked meadow grass) delights in the soils last nnntioned, if they are possessed of a degree of moisture, between loam and bog : that Cynosuru8 cri.o'atus (crested dog's tail grass) prospers extremely well in N\ atered towns, although botanists have scarcely attended to this fact ; that .10tboxantlium odomtum (scented \ culla] grass) Is ill hardly fail in any watered meadow, where it has been once established, however I oarse the soil ; and that it not only adds to the bulk and weight of hay, but communicates the sweetest odour to the whole crop, if made in dry weather : that the genus of grasses called ..1gro.slis, Bent, furnishes two species, which are very good plants in watered mea dows, viz. alba, (white bent,) and .3grostiN :;f blonifer(i, (creeping bent): that in foams much broken with the spade, and then watered, Triticum repens ( couch, or quick grass) forms a valuable plant for hay : and, that for bogs extremely soft with peat, and moist also, no plant yields more hay than the common sprat, U•tiClthlt1180 which, in richly watered meadows, comes forward very early ; and would scarcely be known, if mown before feeding, by those who never saw this plant cut in proper time.
All these plants are adapted to furnish a crop of hay, and also to yield a very abundant pasturage ; but at pre sent they can hardly be obtained in the seed shops, ex cepting perennial red clover, sold under the name of grass.—A farmer must reserve a portion of cor responding good grass, or purchase it from others ; leaving it to stand till the seeds are mostly ripe, and then taking care to preserve these for sowing in his new meadow grounds. I have not often met with perennial rye-grass, in watered meadows, and am inclined to think, that it does not prosper there ; but as I know that it will stand for a season or more, it may be sown inter mixed, and will thicken the grass in the mean time.
The water should be set on, in the month of October ; and also, as early in that month as possible. The effects of this watering arc very important in strengthening the roots and stalks of the plants, and preparing them for shooting up strong and vigorous, next spring; and the blades that now rise, form a rough coat against winter, protecting the vital powers of the plants from the seve rity of that season. It sometimes happens also, that by delaying the watering process too long, early frosts su pervene, and very much impede, or prevent that opera tion. Mr Wright observes, that the floods of autumn are very enriching to meadows, which is probably very true ; but this benefit is lost sight of, to a certain de gree, when the process of watering is delayed too long. Indeed, I have reason to believe, that the latter pastu rage of meadows may generally be consumed early in October ; and that what may then remain is of no im portance, compared with the advantages to be derived from early watering.—Besides, if the meadow must be
watered in separate divisions, and at different periods, it must happen, that by delaying the operation till No ember, some parts of the meadow may receive no wa ter sooner than December or January; and if these months are very severe, it may be wholly impracticable to complete the process at that season.
IF the land is fine and rich, it will generally be found, ..hat three weeks may be sufficient for the first turn ; if sour and coarse, four weeks may be necessary. The verdure will then be fine, and the soil rich and yielding. If scum appear on the grass, the water must be instant ly removed.
Should the water not overflow properly, stops must be placed in the small feeders. 'These are either of stones or stakes, either of which are firm and durable. Sods rise and float away ; and boards are seldom firm enough, though at times they may answer well. If the water, alter all, does not flow properly over, notches must be cut, in order to make passages for it.
Separate divisions of meadow occupy the water in succession throughout winter ; during which, they ough all to have received one turn of the water, as above re commended, if not given in latter autumn.
In severe frosts, it is not very safe to remove the wa ter, as it operates so far to protect the grass ; and if ex posed wet to frost, it might be greatly injured. If it be necessary to alter the water in such weather, let it be done in the morning of a dry day.
In spring, every division of the meadow requires to be again watered ; and the fine rich verdure that ap pears, with the soft unctuous tread of the soil, arc indi cations of advantage being obtained ; but the appear ance of a white scum, warns the floater instantly to re move the water. If the weather be cold at this season, I have seen water continued a fortnight without leaving any scum on the grass, but less time will answer when the weather is warm. In a late season or climate, it. is necessary to continue the watering to the end of March ; and sometimes in high backward situations, to the end of April. But in the low warm districts, and in favour able seasons, the operation is finished in February.
Should the early grass be consumed in pasturage, ewes and lambs answer well to eat it off; the water hav ing been removed so long as to let the meadow become firm and dry, before any stock is introduced. Young cattle may also be fed on this early grass, giving dry hay at night ; but in general, I do not consider it good management to put in cattle at all, at this season, if the farmer can afford provender for them otherwise. The grass is very soft, and the meadow at this time easily poached. At any rate, the meadow should be cleared, and the water again floating by the first of May, in or der to prepare for a crop of good hay. In a very late spring, it is better to dispense with the early pasturage, if the farmer have not a particular necessity for it ; and to give every degree of encouragement, so as to in crease the crop of hay, and to obtain it at an early sea son also, when it may be safer and easier made ; and that also, in time to expect an abundant latter pasture in au tumn.