ARTIFICIAL FIELDS 



worse, for it is specially built to stand heavy weights, and 

 it has several roots which divide and branch like the prongs 

 which fix teeth in the jaw, so that it is very difficult to 

 howk it out. 



Thus our grasslands in Britain are unnatural and 

 artificial productions. If the field drains are choked, moss 

 or fog and rushes appear. Still more interesting, however, 

 is what happens if the farmer is not careful to destroy the 

 taller weeds, such as Dock, Ragweed, Cow Parsnip, Thistles, 

 and the like. If you walk over a grass-field in early spring, 

 you are sure to see some of these pests. At this stage they 

 have a very humble, weak, and innocent appearance : they 

 are quite small rosettes or tufts. Yet they are crowded 

 with leaves, which are hard at work busily manufacturing 

 food material. Soon they begin to shoot up. Their leaves 

 overreach all the neighbouring grasses. Their roots spread 

 in every direction, taking what ought to go to the " good 

 green herb intended for the service of man." They finally 

 accomplish their wickedness by producing thousands of 

 seeds, which are scattered broadcast over the fields. 



By this time the farmer sees what is going on, and en- 

 deavours to cut them down; but it is a long, slow, and 

 laborious proceeding. One year's seeding means seven years' 

 weeding. 



Yet these tall Thistles and Ragweeds are only the first 

 stage of a very interesting invasion. Look around the field 

 corners, on railway-banks, or in old quarries, where man has 

 left things alone. You will see these same tall herbs (the 

 Ragweed, etc.), but you are sure to find a place where they 

 are being suppressed by Rasps, Briers, and Brambles. 

 These are taller, stronger, and more vigorous than the 

 herbs, and they also last longer, for their leaves are still at 



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