134 AGRICULTURE ON THE RHINE. 



Broad ridges are used M-here water is not abundant at 

 all times, and the ground free from marshy spots, but 

 commanding little fall. Where these peculiarities of site 

 and command of water are observed, the yield of a water- 

 meadow on an average is the same in all three systems of 

 laying down. The first cut is made about Midsummer, 

 and on good soils gives 3 tons of excellent hay to the 

 morgen, or 4^ tons to the acre. The after-grass yields 

 about half as much. On average soils the yield may be 

 estimated for the neighbourhood of Siegen at 3 tons to 

 3^ tons per acre. With retentive subsoils the meadows 

 yield below the average. It is customary in autumn to 

 drive the cows on the meadows, their weight being sup- 

 posed useful in treading down the surface, which has a 

 constant tendency to swell and grow over the level of 

 the irrigating canals. These meadows furnish in autumn 

 pasturage, and in summer the cows are driven into the 

 " Hauberg." In the morning and evening some green 

 fodder is given them in the stables. In winter hay, 

 straw, and chaff, mixed up and boiled with potatoes, car- 

 rots, or beatroot, form the usual fodder. 



Terraced Meadows. 



In the meadow that is destined to be laid down on the 

 terrace plan, the water-course being carried over the 

 highest part, the level of the distributing canal must be 

 marked by a stake driven near the centre. Another stake 

 driven at the lowest extremity of the field must mark 

 the level of the draining conduit — the terraced meadow 

 being supposed to have a breadth of 6 Prussian roods of 

 10 feet, and is divided into 4 beds each ]i rood in 

 breadth. The channels, laid parallel to the distributing 



