160 IRRIGATION. 



wholesome. This instance occurred in Eastern Pennsyl- 

 vania. Where meadows are only partially irrigated ; they 

 may be pastured freely, so long as the soil is dry and is 

 not " poached" or cut up by the hoofs of cattle or horses. 

 Such meadows should be laid out with broad, shallow 

 water-furrows, so that there will be no danger of the 

 edges being broken down by the trampling of the stock. 

 The late pasturing of meadows by sheep should never be 

 permitted, unless the growth is thick and heavy, as these 

 animals nip the grass very closely and would expose the 

 roots to the frost, endangering the unequal heaving of 

 the surface during the Winter. But as cattle are accus- 

 tomed to bite here and there, and leave scattered bunches 

 of the rejected herbage, it should be made a business, not 

 to be neglected, to go over these with a mower and level 

 them before the season is closed. The droppings of the 

 cattle should be broken up finely and scattered over the 

 surface before they become frozen. Early in Spring, be- 

 fore any water is given, the meadows should be put into 

 the best condition, the surface cleared of rubbish, and 

 rolled, the ditches and furrows examined and repaired, 

 and the drains cleared if this is needed. It is at this 

 time that any seed or fertilizers that may be thought 

 necessary, should be given. Lastly, the fences should be 

 made perfectly safe. The trespassing of heavy stock upon 

 a newly watered meadow might do very serious and very 

 extensive injury. 



When the grass is nearly ready for cutting, no water 

 should be given. In general, the watering should be so 

 timed, that the growth of grass is pushed forward as 

 quickly as possible in its earlier stages, and when the 

 herbage is short. When the ground is well covered and 

 shaded, a good soaking will supply the soil with sufficient 

 moisture to mature the crop of grass. Then ten days or 

 two weeks may elapse between the last watering and the 

 cutting. As soon as the hay is made and removed, water 



