( 7 } 
The better to keep this distinction in view, we may 
speak of them separately—and, 
I, Of Natural Meadons 
These have been classed by botanists according to 
their elevation ; and have thence been denominated, 
high, middling and low. But as this priaciple fails 
altogether to indicate their agricultural character 
and properties,(1) a better one has been found in 
their relative moisture ; whence they are denomina- 
ted dry, or moist, or wet. The products of these 
have been carefully and skillfully analysed in Germa- 
ny, in Italy, in England, and’'in France,(2) and the 
result shews, that wet meadows contain the smaller 
number of the different species of plants, but the 
greater number of those which are either useless or 
injurious; and, on the other hand, that moist mea- 
dows contain the greater number of the former, and 
the smaller number of the latter. The following 
simple table exhibits at a glance the present state of 
knowledge on this important part of our subject: 
Wholenumber of Plants 
in wet meadows, 30; useful 4, useless or bad 26 
Do. in dry meadows, 38; do. 8, do 30 
Do. in moist meadows, 42: do. 17, do 25 
The agricultural labors suggested by these facts, 
are of two kinds—the eradicating of useless or perni- 
cious plants, and the continuance and multiplication 
of those which are good. The first of these objects 
is promoted by mowing the meadows before the 
(1) We often find bogs on the tops of mountains, and arid sands on the banks o¢ 
rivers, 
(2) See Observations made by the Agricultural Society of Great Britain, and Me- 
motres sur’ Agriculture du Boutonnais, &c. &c. per M. Dumont de Coursit. 
