Splenic Apoplexy. 
247 
Taking this field as a whole, my conclusions are, that under- 
drainage and liberal treatment would tend to the removal of disease, 
as by such means the poorer sorts of meadow plants, including the 
poor grasses, would be discouraged and die out, whilst the better 
kinds would increase. 
That land of this kind is productive as arable was made manifest 
by the appearance of a fine crop of wheat in a field adjoining 
No. 30 : still the peculiar nature of the stiff soil is even here made 
known by the presence of the com buttercup (^Ranunculus arvensis). 
I next direct attention to No. 39, which was described as a 
meadow which had produced " splenic apoplexy," but in a minor 
degree compared with Xo. 30. It was remarked as generally free 
from thistles and large weeds, if we except the prevailing plant of 
these marsh lands, namely. Ranunculus acris. Among the grasses 
will be noticed Anthoxanthum odoratum (the sweet venial grass) to 
the spicy character of which I am inclined to attribute its improved 
quality when compared with No. 30. 
Plants Xo. 37. 
Botanical Xame. 
Trivial ifame. 
Proportionals. 
Cynosurus cristatus 
Bromus commutatus .. 
Anthoxanthum odoratum . . 
Alopecunis pratensis . . 
Tritblium pratense 
Tumid field brome grass 
Eongh -stalked meadow grass 
15 
10 
10 
3 
3 
5 
2 
1 
3 
12 
The above makes soft hay of the kind, which is said to be 
wanting in " proof." The absence of rye-grass and fescues is verj" 
observable. 
This meadow, though under water in winter, was not swampy, 
like parts of No. 30, at the time of my visit. 
The next field to be described is situate near the Yictoria Inn, 
Ilchester. It is constantly cut for hay, the practice being on this 
farm " to always mow the same land and manure it, and to let the 
feeding land take care of itself," the principle at the bottom of 
this practice apparently being that the better pastures yield more 
and better hay, as being sounder and drier, and therefore can be 
manured to advantage ; while the low meadows do not yield good 
hay, and if quite exhausted by frequent haymaking, manures will 
not act by reason of the stagnant condition of the water. 
