.2(5
not err: That it is in our power both to aid and imitate tLeir>will appear from the following Section.
Section II.
The Plan to he adopted in reclaiming Waste Lands hy Flooding.
As both running and stagnant water operate in reclaimingwaste lands, we have it in our power by both to imitate the pro-cess, which we see perpetually going on ; and we can alsolend the feeble aid of art to expedite that process where it is al-ready begun.
First, In low-lying level wastes, it is frequently in our powerto accomplish this at a small expense: all that is requisite forthis purpose, is a command of water, and an opportunity ofstemming it up, so as to overflow the whole surface. In manyplaces, such situations may be seen over the surface of the unit-ed empire ; all land-locked mosses that lie on a level lower thanadjacent springs or rivers, are of this description. In many pla-ces, 200, 300, or 4-00 acres of such mossy lands, may be laid un-der water by a single bank at the outlet, which will not cost asmany shillings to form it.- By shutting up this opening, or sternaming a small stream, this may be accomplished. *
Secondly, But few mosses or waste lands are entirely level; inmost of them there is a slight or considerable declivity. In allsuch cases, a different plan must be adopted. If the declivity beconsiderable, it is clear that one bank will not suffice to lay thewhole surface under water. To form such a bank, would be ex-pensive ; besides, it would be apt to give way by the weight ofWater. To obviate this difficulty, the following simple plan issuggested. In place of forming large banks across the declivity,narrow strips of undug moss ought to be left in that direction.They will serve the purpose of banks ; for no substance is moreimpervious to water than undug moss; and as the ridges dugbetween these strips will subside by cropping and cultivatingthem, these strips will form natural banks to stem the watersufficiently to cover the cultivated ridges between them ; espe-cially if the ridges be narrow, and the strips of undug mossnumerous, in proportion to the declivity of the surface. Thewater being let in from above, will be stopped in its coursedownward by these undug strips.
If the ridges be pared and burnt in the first instance, and thensown down with grass, and flooded afterwards in the manner nowdescribed, the whole surface may be converted into meadow, andby the same means be watered afterwards; or, if it be more ex-pedient to cultivate and crop the whole field, all that is requisite.
* The mode of conducting this operation in level mosses, will be fully<sd by Dr. Rennie, in his Ess^y or. the subject of Flooding: IVaS