IMPLEMENT FOR EXTIRPATING D0CK9. AND THISTtBS. 501 



-xr. , . ■ 



An improved Lnplement for extirpating Djeks and Thistles;, 

 by Mr. J. Baker, o/" West^Coker, near Yeovil, in Svmefr\_ 

 set shire*. 



SIR, 



Jl HAVE sent to the Society an implement of my inv^n- Implement for 

 tion for destroying? thistles and docks, which are tv»'o ^'^^y*"" thSes'a^d 

 jurious weeds to agriculturists. docks. 



The implement is so contrived, that, if the root breaks in 

 the claw, in attempting to draw it, you may, by turning the 

 instrument, cut the root so far below the turf as to prevent 



its growth. 



I am, Sir, 

 Your obedient Servant, 

 Wcst'Croker, Oct, 31, JOHN BAKER. 



1 809. 



Certificate. 



We do hereby testify, that the instrument made by Mr. Testimonies of 

 John Baker for destroying docks and thistles has been used ^^* "^^'J^y- 

 to great advantages and is likely to come into general use. — - 

 Edward Guppy, Nathaniel Bartlett, Thomas Sandfwd, 

 Edward Penny. 



Description of the Implement, 



Fig* 2 of PI. VIII represents Mr. Baker's thistle-extir- The Jmple- 

 pator. A is the handle; B the claws, between which the '"t"' ''"" 

 thistle is received ; the curved iron C is the fulcrum, over, 

 which the purchase to extract the weed is obtained; D is 

 an iron rod, or bar, upon which the foot is. placed to thrust 

 the claws into the ground. In case the root of the nveedy^ 

 breaks in endeavouring to extract it, the curved blade %y:i 

 which has a sharp end like a chissel, is thrust into the^ 

 ground to cut off the root of the thistle some inches below . 

 the surface, and prevent its vegetation. ^. » ; 



* Trans, of Soc. of Arts, vol. XXVIII, p. 50, The gold medal was 

 toted to Mr, Baker for this inreniion. 



Description 



