158124Natural Hiſtory;
Husbands do ſuſpect, that the gathering up of Flints in Flinty Ground, and
laying them on heaps (which is much uſed) is no good Husbandry for that
they would keep the Ground warm.
laying them on heaps (which is much uſed) is no good Husbandry for that
they would keep the Ground warm.
The ſixth help of Ground is, by Watring and Irrigation, which is in
11600. two manners; The one by Letting in, and Shutting out Waters, at ſeaſon-
able times; for Water, at ſome ſeaſons, and with reaſonable ſtay, doth good;
but at ſome other ſeaſons, and with too long ſtay, doth hurt. And this
ſerveth onely for Meadows, which are along ſome River. The other way
is to bring Water from ſome hanging Grounds, where there are Springs
into the lower Grounds, carrying it in ſome long Furrows; and from thoſe
Furrows, drawing it traverſe to ſpred the Water: And this maketh an excel-
lent improvement, both for Corn and Graſs. It is the richer, if thoſe hang-
ing Grounds, be fruitful, becauſe it waſheth off ſome of the fatneſs of the
Earth; but howſoever it profiteth much. Generally where there are great
overflows in Fens, or the like, the drowning of them in the Winter, maketh
the Summer following more fruitful: The cauſe may be for, that it keepeth
the Ground warm, and nouriſheth it. But the Fen-men hold, that the Sewers
muſt be kept ſo, as the Water may not ſtay too long in the Spring, till the
Weeds and Sedge be grown up; for then the Ground will be like a Wood
which keepeth out the Sun, and ſo continueth the wet; whereby it will
never graze (to purpoſe) that year. Thus much for Irrigation; but for
Avoidances, and Drainings of Water, where there is too much, and the
helps of Ground in that kinde, weſhall ſpeak of them in another place.
11600. two manners; The one by Letting in, and Shutting out Waters, at ſeaſon-
able times; for Water, at ſome ſeaſons, and with reaſonable ſtay, doth good;
but at ſome other ſeaſons, and with too long ſtay, doth hurt. And this
ſerveth onely for Meadows, which are along ſome River. The other way
is to bring Water from ſome hanging Grounds, where there are Springs
into the lower Grounds, carrying it in ſome long Furrows; and from thoſe
Furrows, drawing it traverſe to ſpred the Water: And this maketh an excel-
lent improvement, both for Corn and Graſs. It is the richer, if thoſe hang-
ing Grounds, be fruitful, becauſe it waſheth off ſome of the fatneſs of the
Earth; but howſoever it profiteth much. Generally where there are great
overflows in Fens, or the like, the drowning of them in the Winter, maketh
the Summer following more fruitful: The cauſe may be for, that it keepeth
the Ground warm, and nouriſheth it. But the Fen-men hold, that the Sewers
muſt be kept ſo, as the Water may not ſtay too long in the Spring, till the
Weeds and Sedge be grown up; for then the Ground will be like a Wood
which keepeth out the Sun, and ſo continueth the wet; whereby it will
never graze (to purpoſe) that year. Thus much for Irrigation; but for
Avoidances, and Drainings of Water, where there is too much, and the
helps of Ground in that kinde, weſhall ſpeak of them in another place.