in its general signification means pasture or grass-land, annually mown for hay: but it is more particularly applied to lands that are so low as to be too moist for cattle to graze upon them in winter without spoiling the sward. Too much, or too little water is almost equally prejudicial to meadows; but the best land for meadows is a rich soil, that has a moist bottom, especially where a small brook may be brought over it, and where there is such a scent that the water will not lodge: These are better than those by great rivers, where the crops are often lost. Those that may be overflowed at pleasure, are called water-meadows: these should never be overflowed till the end of March, except once or twice in winter, when there are such floods as bring down a great deal of soil from the upper lands; and if the season should prove dry, it will be of great service to the grass if the meadows are overflowed again; but then the cattle should not be turned in till the sward is dry enough to bear their weight. Miller recommends the weeding of meadows in April and October with a spade, and rolling them with a heavy roller in spring and autumn.