e of the village? In most
cases, very simple engineering ability would be sufficient to supply
the hamlet. The hose, or whatever the plan might be, need not take
half nor a quarter of the water thrown out by the spring. The owner
might object; certainly he would object to any forcible carrying
away of his water; but if he were himself a party to the scheme, and
to receive compensation for any injury, he would not do so.

Water has been the cause of more disputes, probably, than
anything else between neighbouring agriculturists. One wishes it
for his water-meadows, another for his cattle, a third for his
home-consumption; then there is, perhaps, the miller to be
consulted. After all, there is, in most cases, more than enough
water for everybody, and a very little mutual yielding would
accommodate all, and supply the village in the bargain. But each
party being alone in his view, without any mediator, the result
may be a lawsuit, or ill-blood, lasting for years; the cutting
down of bays and dams, the possible collision of the men
employed.

Between these parties, between agriculturists themselves, the
establishment of a species of village council would often lead to
peace and harmony. The advice and expressed wishes of their
neighbour, the influence of the clergyman and the resident landlord,
and the existence of a common public want in the village, would have
an irresistible effect; and what neither would yield to his
opponent, all would yield to a body of friends. Taken in this way it
may safely be considered that there would be no difficulty in
obtaining access to water. In places which are still less fortunate
and, especially in dry times, are at a greater distance from the
precious element, there still remains a plan by which sufficient
could be secured, and that is the portable water-tank. Our
agricultural machinists now turn out handsome and capacious iron
tanks which are coming into general use. Now, no one farmer can be
expected to send water-tank and team three or four times every
evening to fetch up water for the use of cottagers, not
one-twentieth of whom work for him. But why should there not be a
tank, the public property of the village, and why should not teams
take it in turn? Undoubtedly something of the kind would immediately
spring into existence were there any village organization whatever.
In a large number of villages, the natural supply would be
sufficient during three parts of the year, and it