] Irene Collins, I think it was, who stated that whenever JA uses the word "meadow" she is referring to grazing land. For grazing what? Probably cows or horses, maybe for sheep (doubt it, personally). Not lawns, definitely.

In chapter 50 of S&S, Jane Austen uses the general term "pasturage" rather than "meadows" for the grazing of Mrs Edward Ferras's cows:

They had in fact nothing

to wish for, but the marriage of Colonel Brandon and

Marianne, and rather better pasturage for their cows.

Aside from the amusing anti-climax in the sentence, I wish to suggest that "pasturage" would include fields left fallow as well as dedicated meadowlands.

In chapter 18, Edward mentions Barton village, which being on higher ground than Barton cottage affords views that he likes and foreshadows his living in a country that he likes because it is both beautiful and useful. He mentions the fine meadows but not the animals in them (the animals would prove their usefulness). Marianne eagerly questions him about the apparent picturesque qualities of the scenery viewed from Barton village, but Edward, in reply, disclaims understanding of the picturesque in words understood by Elinor (and the reader) to mean that he has perfect understanding of the esthetic doctrine of the picturesque. Elinor teases him about his denials, and Marianne admits that Edward's judgement about much of what people say about the picturesque is true. Edward's discussion of the picturesque is especially helpful in teaching modern readers about the meaning of the picturesque--as, no doubt, it tausght many a Regency reader enough about it so that they could engage others in confident and sensible conversation.

"You must not

enquire too far, Marianne--remember I have no knowledge

in the picturesque, and I shall offend you by my ignorance

and want of taste if we come to particulars. I shall call

hills steep, which ought to be bold; surfaces strange and

uncouth, which ought to be irregular and rugged; and distant

objects out of sight, which ought only to be indistinct

through the soft medium of a hazy atmosphere. You must be

satisfied with such admiration as I can honestly give. I call

it a very fine country--the hills are steep, the woods seem

full of fine timber, and the valley looks comfortable and

snug--with rich meadows and several neat farm houses

scattered here and there. It exactly answers my idea of a

fine country, because it unites beauty with utility--and I

dare say it is a picturesque one too, because you admire it;

I can easily believe it to be full of rocks and promontories,

grey moss and brush wood, but these are all lost on me. I

know nothing of the picturesque."

"I am afraid it is but too true," said Marianne; "but why

should you boast of it?"

"I suspect," said Elinor, "that to avoid one kind of

affectation, Edward here falls into another. Because he

believes many people pretend to more admiration of the

beauties of nature than they really feel, and is disgusted

with such pretensions, he affects greater indifference and

less discrimination in viewing them himself than he

possesses. He is fastidious and will have an affectation of

his own."

"It is very true," said Marianne, "that admiration of

landscape scenery is become a mere jargon. "

I second Marrti's comments and will only add that sheep and geese were commonly set to graze upon the lawns in order to keep them closely cropped. Remember that the lawns of houses had the original purpose of being the "killing ground" in case of attack by enemy forces. The attackers were forced to cross open ground with no cover for their advance.