CULTIVATION OF MEADOWS. 169 



meadows should be most fertile. Hence it is not 

 sufficient in irrigating meadows to convert them into 

 marshes, by covering for several months their sur- 

 face with water, w^hich is not renewed; for the 

 advantage of irrigation consists principally in sup- 

 plying oxygen to the roots of plants. The quantity 

 of water necessary for this purpose is very small, so 

 that it is sufficient to cover the meadow with a very 

 thin layer, if this be frequently renewed. 



The cultivation of meadows forms one of the most 

 important branches of rural economy. It contributes 

 materially to the prosperity of the agriculturist by 

 increasing his stock of cattle, and consequently by 

 furnishing him with manure, which may be applied 

 to the augmentation of his crops. Indeed, the great 

 progress which has been made in Germany in the 

 improvement of cattle is mainly attributable to the 

 attention which is devoted in that country to the 

 culture of meadows. The environs .of Siegin, in 

 Nassau, are particulary famed in this respect, and 

 every year a large number of young farmers repair 

 to it, for the purpose of studying this branch of 

 agriculture in situ. In that district the culture of 

 grass has attained such great perfection, that the 

 produce of their meadow-land far exceeds that ob- 

 tained in any other part of Germany. This is effected 

 simply by preparing the ground in such a manner as 

 to enable it to be irrigated both in spring and in 

 autumn. The surface of the soil is fitted to suit the 

 locality, and the quantity of water which can be 

 commanded. Thus if the meadows be situated upon 

 a declivity, banks of from one to two feet in height 

 are raised at short distances from each other. The 

 water is admitted by small channels upon the most 

 elevated bank, and allow^ed to discharge itself over 

 the sides in such a manner as to run upon the bank 

 situated below. The grass grown upon meadow^s 

 irrigated in this way is three or four times higher 

 than that obtained from fields which are covered with, 

 water that is deprived of all egress and renewal. 

 fe 15 



