268 THE FARMER AT HOME; 



meadow was never disturbed by the plough, but for years in succes- 

 sion was reserved for the scythe ; consequently when it was possible 

 the meadow was found on low lands, or those naturally wet, and to 

 preserve its fertility, much of the manure of the farm was applied to 

 the surface dressings, to the great detriment of the tillage land and 

 the crops. Under the improved or rotative system of husbandry, 

 every part of the farm is alike subjected to the plough and the 

 scythe, as the meadow changes as often as the wheat or the 

 corn field. To do this, every part of the farm is made capable of 

 growing any of the cultivated crops, by draining, and while the 

 average product of the whole farm is greatly increased, the quantity 

 and quality of the hay made, will be proportionally improved. The 

 grasses best adapted for meadows where a rotation is practiced, are 

 the clovers, timothy, orchard grass, herds grass, and perhaps some of 

 the foreign grasses may be found useful ; but at present nothing is 

 known equal to clover and timothy. 



In seeding down lands, too little seed is generally used, whether 

 the land is to be meadow or pasture. Heavy seeding makes a closer 

 turf, finer hay, sweeter and better pasture, and by giving more roots 

 restores the exhaustion consequent on cropping, much sooner. In 

 seeding lands they should always be thoroughly rotted. It will assist 

 the covering and germination of the seeds, and render the surface 

 level and smooth for the scythe. Lands intended for mowing should 

 not be trodden or poached by the feet of cattle in spring, as such 

 poaching renders the surface uneven, destroys the roots of plants, and 

 is of little service to animals. Where, however, it is inconvenient to 

 subject meadow land to the plough, and the grasses and the product 

 decline, such meadows may be restored by occasionally giving them 

 a liberal dressing of compost manure, sowing them afresh with a por- 

 tion of the most valuable grasses, and giving them a very heavy 

 harrowing in all directions. This will dislodge the masses that clog 

 the surface in old meadows, loosen the surface and promote atmos- 

 pheric action, and give a new and more vigorous growth of grass plants. 



MEALS. The quantity of food taken at regular intervals is com- 

 monly understood by the term meal. One of the most important 

 circumstances about meals is their regularity, both as to number, and 

 the periods at which they are taken. Habit has such an influence on 

 the appetite of hunger, as well as on many other of our sensations, 

 that it will return at the stated hour of eating ; and if it be not 

 appeased, the stomach will cease its cravings, though no aliment has 

 been supplied. But hunger will in many persons recur before the 

 time usually allotted for the regular meal ; and it will often be neces- 

 sary to take some food, to enable the stomach to hold out till its 

 accustomed period. In a healthy person, whose digestion is good, 

 who has taken sufficient exercise, and who in a morning has taken 

 no very substantial or copious repast, the luncheon will probably be a 



