BOOK II. x\-ii. 2-5 



time farmers have a way of restoring them by 

 scraping off the moss and broadcasting seed from the 

 hayloft, or by applying manure ; neither of which is so 

 effective as the frequent application of ashes. This 

 last treatment kills the moss completely. Still 3 

 these remedies are rather slow, whereas the most 

 effective measure is to plough the spot all over again. 

 The above are measures that we should take if we 

 have taken over meadows ready-made ; but if new 

 ones are to be established or old ones restored — for 

 there are many, as I have said, which run down and 

 become barren through neglect, and it is expedient to 

 plough them up now and then for a gi-ain crop, 

 because such land after long idleness px'oduces lux- 

 uriant crops — we shall break up in the summer such 4 

 land as we have set apart for a meadow, work it con- 

 tinuously throughout the autumn, and seed it with 

 turnips or navews or even beans ; then the following 

 year, wiih grain. In the third year we shall plough 

 thoroughly and dig out by the roots all the stouter 

 growth, brambles and trees, that stand in the way, 

 unless the fruitfulness of the set trees keeps us from 

 so doing. Next we shall sow vetch mixed with hay- 

 seed, then break the clods ^^^th hoes and level the 

 surface by drawing a brushwood drag over it, and 

 scatter the heaps of earth which the drags usually 

 form at the turnings, so that the mower's scythe may 

 not strike against anything. But it is not advisable 5 

 to cut this vetch until it is entirely ripe and has shed 

 some seed on the ground beneath it. Then the 

 mowers should cut it down, and the ground should 

 next be irrigated if there is a supply of water, but 



' faenisecas e. o. r. a. d. rigari Lundstrom: alii alia. 



209 



