and infirm, when used with moderation.
MEADOW, generally signifies pasture, or grass land, that is annually mown for hay; but it more particularly denotes such tracts of ground as are too low, and too moist for cattle to graze on them during the winter, without injuring the sward.
The best lands for meadow are those situated on a gentle declivity, so as to be irrigated at pleasure, and which at the same time possess a rich soil and moist bottom, especially if it be in the vicinity of a brook, or small running stream.—See Irrigation.
Great Britain and Ireland are reputed to possess the most verdant pastures, and the finest natural grasses, in the vegetable creation: these advantages, however, do not appear to meet with that attention which they deserve. Lately, indeed, the cultivation of grasses has been a favourite pursuit among experimental farmers and freeholders; but, as the tenantry, in general, are bound to follow a certain rotation of crops, without having the power of breaking up old and unproductive meadows, extensive improvements cannot be expected, while such limitations prevail.—We have cursorily mentioned these obstacles to national prosperity; because they would require a more ample investigation than is compatible with our limits.
The first requisite towards obtaining a good meadow is, a perfect acquaintance with the best natural grasses, their peculiar soils, and the best mode of collecting their seeds: the most valuable are those of the northern and eastern parts of England. But, as comparatively few have an opportunity of procuring such seeds, the only method that can be pursued with hopes of success, appears to be that of selecting those grasses, which thrive luxuriantly on a similar soil; and to gather the ripe seed from a productive old meadow.
On lands intended for pasture, and especially for sheep, it is advisable to sow three kinds of vegetables, with a view to gain the advantage of successive growth. Thus, Mr. Parkinson sows four bushels of the seed of ray-grass, or red darnel (Lolium perenne, L.); 10lbs. of trefoil seed (more properly common clover, Trifolium pratense, L.); and a similar quantity of white clover (T. repens, L.) He is is of opinion that the ray-grass should be grazed early, while the white clover is still concealed in the ground, and the trefoil, or common clover, is just appearing; that, when the darnel is eaten down, the common clover will spring up, and afford excellent food for sheep; after which the white clover will appear: and, when the latter is consumed, the ray-grass again grows, and supplies pasturage during the winter months, if the weather prove tolerably mild. Hence this truly "experienced farmer" maintains, that one-third more in number of sheep, at least, may be thus supported than by any other method.
In order to form a meadow, far superior to the generality of artificial pastures, Mr. Curtis recommends six kinds of grass, and two of clover, to be sown broad-cast. The seeds are to be mixed together in the following proportions, viz.
| Meadow Fescue-grass: Festuca pratensis,-- | 4 parts |
| Meadow Fox-tail-grass: Alopecurus pratensis,- | 4 |
