On the Formation of Hill- side Catch- Meadoios, 145 



one turn or night's watering may be given it, or the land in other 

 situations damped for a time to produce extra feed, during the 

 dry periods of summer. 



When the pond is put in use, care should be taken to stir up 

 the mud at the bottom, until gradually and entirely drawn off, by 

 means of a plug and socket placed at the lower point of the pond 

 and adjoining the carriage for emptying. The self-acting pond is 

 let off by means of a plug and bucket : thus, so soon as the water 

 rises in the pond above a certain level, the bucket fills, and by its 

 weight of water lifts the plug at the other end of a lever, hence 

 the water flows out at the plug-hole until the water in the bucket 

 ceases to run, through a small quill-hole, it then becomes closed 

 — but for a time. This is an excellent plan in showery weather, 

 and saves much attention of the waterman." This pond is 

 also well cleaned by " stirring " at periods when the water is in 

 use upon the more inferior parts of the meadovv^. It is an excel- 

 lent plan to include a portion of dry land in each meadow (above 

 the water-carriages) ; the cattle and sheep will adjourn to those 

 spots for lair, and apparently much to their comfort. Turnips 

 may also be thrown upon these dry lands as occasion may require, 

 and they are thus equally well manured with the rest of the 

 meadow. 



The most convenient size for a water-meadow I find to be from 

 5 to 6 acres — the watering, mowing, or changing of stock being 

 performed with greater facility and the hill side better sheltered ; 

 ; observing to have the longest fences (if possible) running north 

 ■and south, that the greatest amount of shelter may be afforded 

 against the prevailing south-west or western gales. We com- 

 mence watering with the first autumnal rains, as they wash down 

 the accumulated animal and other deposits of the summer, which 

 together afford immense results; if allowed to pass away neglected 

 the cream of the season is gone for ever. Certain meadows are 

 well eaten up by this period, to receive the early waters, after 

 which they are left for a time to afford new and healthy pastures 

 for the latter months, and the water laid on to other meadows 

 which have been prepared to receive them in due succession — 

 hence it is that a number of meadows are found most desirable. 

 The most valuable aid of the 'Svatered meadow" is, in the early 

 spring months, a period of scarcity for the ewes and lambs. 

 Shelter by plantations is a great help to the meadow, warmth 

 being the leading feature for the production of early grass. This 

 advantage is foreign to my farm, the watered lands being laid out 

 upon the naked and uncultivated hill side ; but steps are being 

 taken in the direction of the required end. This brings me to 

 the importance of having all new fences (where practicable) laid 

 out by the ''spirit-level that, while some may be form.ed to collect 



