Sentence:  He called one day at Mr. Hepple's, of Needless Hall, in a forlorn condition, seeking his seed (a present of corn given at seed-time). ... After this conversation, Mr. Hepple served him with a <WSD>kenning</WSD> of oats, which was a much greater quantity than he usually gave on such occasions. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A dry measure equivalent to half a bushel; a container with that capacity.