At the present time, the object of watering is to raise large crops of grass. NIr Stevens has introduced the regular mode of watering, by flat-flooding, into the duke of Buicelcutic's estate ; but at the same time, he has re course to the method of watering in catch-work, when circumstances are such as to require it.
If the charges incurred in the mechanical depart ment of the formation of all these meadows, be stated at live pounds per acre, it is probably not far from the average. Then) drat e Ix en sonic which have risen seven pounds, there was much cart and spade work to do; while others have been laid out at a \rely low rate. All these expenses are defrayed by the te nants. The duke allows Mr Stevens a salary, as the general superintendent of his works on these mea dows.
The annual returns, at present, may be safe ly esti mated at 150 stone hay, of 241bs. avoirdupois in the stone, for every English acre of meadow. Some of them rise above 200 stone, and others fall as low a, 1O0 stone, or even less, being as yet unproductive, in conse quence of unfavourable circumstances. But the average return probably rises above 150 stone. It must be re membered, however, that the returns of these meadows do not consist wholly of hay. I am disposed to think, that the returns in pasture, exclusive of the hay, do not in general fall short of the full value of the soil in its original unimproved state.
The annual expenses incurred in keeping up the works on these meadows may be considered, at an average, about five shillings per acre.
Having stated these general averages of charges and of returns, which are not given as correct, but only as approximating near the truth, according to my informa tion and remarks, I shall now observe, that the total amount of expenses incurred on these meadows, by the operations at their formation, may he considered as rising above '2000/. ; that the annual charges of uphold ing, may be stated at loot. and upwards ; and that the returns of hay, exclusive of pasture, may be calculated as exceeding 60,00) stone.
The value of this hay made, and at market prices, must be above sixpence per stone which is 1500/. a year. But it is fair to deduct about part for expense of making, which reduces the returns in hay to about 1125/. a ? ar, estimating it at the present low prices of 1)306 for hay, in the markets of Dum fries-shire.
As food for sheep in deep snows, the 1, aloe of this hay is nearly double the above value. A stone of it maintains a score of sheep for a night, as the shepherds ginerdly compute ; and stortmasters generally pay abc,ut a shilling per score each night, for a place of re treat for the sheep, during deep snow s. In this view, the hay of these meadows WOUld support 60,000 sheep in severe weather, during twenty days. 'clic benefit of this relief, (luring a serious elm rgency, is not to be ei timated below 3000/. How often ulch au emergency may occur, no person can pretend to foresee." Dr Singers concludes a most able and animated re port, with the following estimate of the bemfits of the watered meadows.
" To state this in a candid and impartial manner, we must mention whatever operates either for or against them.
1st, The expense of lasing out and enclosing these meadows is the principal obstacle. But ex pense is moderate, and the meadow succeeds well, a single year's crop almost or entirely defrays the charges. When matters are less favourable, they may still he li quidated in two or three seasons. And when the ex pense is very low, the first year more than pays it ; as must have been the case in various instances, where these meadows were done in catch-work, and succeed ed well. But if the forming and enclosing should not be fully compensated in less than four er five years, there is reason still to expect ilrat the tenant will be re imbursed.
2d, The attention which becomes necessary to the watered meadows, in upholding them, and conducting the watering process, is mentioned as an incumbrance. 1 admit the fact, but what does the farmer obtain with out attention ? Let him consider the paMs and trouble he must undergo in manuring, fallowing, sowing, and reaping, from arable soils; and in preserving and bring ing into use the respective crops which he raises from them. But with respect to watered meadows, if a few of them arc situated contiguous to each other, a com mon labourer employed to uphold and water them all, effectually removes this difficult) ; and in other cases a common farm-servant will levy soon learn to attend to the ordinary matters that require his notice.