iNOTES ON WORTHLESS GRASSES, ETC. 149 



Foxtail, Slender {Alopecurus agi^estis). — This annual, 

 the Black Twitch of the ^Midlands, also called Hungerweed, is 

 chiefly troublesome in temporary pastures on sandy and other 

 Hght soils, and the objection to it is that the mass of root- 

 fibres absorbs the available plant food in the soil, without 

 making a return in wholesome herbage. Consohdation of the 

 turf is unfavourable to its existence, and in grass kept close 

 and firm it is starved out. The seed of Slender Foxtail, 

 sometimes in considerable proportion, is found in low-priced 

 samples of Alopecurus pratensis. 



Knapweed, or Hardheads {Centaurea nigra). — A 

 tough, much-branched perennial, common to many pastures 

 and leys, on both wet and dry soils. Where it is very abun- 

 dant or shows a tendency to spread, a judicious appHcation of 

 ammonia salts and mixed minerals will almost banish this 

 weed fi'om gi-ass lands. 



Ragwort {Senecio Jacobcea). — A coarse, perennial weed, 

 aUied to the common gi'oundsel, sometimes attaining a 

 height of four feet. It throws up bright golden flower-heads, 

 seeds freely, and is common in the light-soil pastures of many 

 districts. Cattle avoid it, but sheep are said to eat the leaves 

 when young. A single plant will spread over a space eighteen 

 inches in diameter. The roots are brittle, and it is futile to 

 attempt to draw them in spring, as every scrap left in the 

 gi'ound mil produce a vigorous plant in the following season. 

 Cutting the flower-heads before full development results in the 

 shrinking and hardening of the roots, which are then easily 

 drawn when the soil has been softened by autumnal rains. 



Rib Grass, or Narrow=Ieaved Plantain {Plantago 



lanceolata). — A free-seeding, deep-rooting perennial, common 

 to most soils. Its presence among grass is countenanced by 

 some farmers, who have yet to be convinced that other and 



