in constant hostility against these formidable foes. His 
reward in a victory over them, will be a certain increase 
of his crops, which will be doubly benefited by wee 
effort to destroy useless and noxious plants. 
It would entitle any person to the gratitude of his 
fellow citizens, who could point out a mode of destroy- 
ing with the least expence and labour, the weeds which 
infest our fields. However contemptible it may appear 
on a slight view, it is an object worthy genius and ins 
dustry, to botanize for the perfect understanding of the 
nature and properties of weeds, for the purpose of 
their destruction. In my tours through this state for 
some years past, I have observed, with melancholy at- 
tention, the most destructive weeds, and particularly 
the St. John’s Wort, overspreading our country. The 
ransted,* has now passed the mountains. The more 
fertile the soil, the more it is subject to be over-run by 
them. ‘Though | have subdued many, yet these weeds, 
and particularly the. St. John’s Wort,/i) have baffled 
* Toad-flax. 
(i) Two well attended crops of Indian corn or potatoes, will 
conquer the old stock of this weed; but I have had, aiter I 
supposed it eradicated, a new growth irom the seeds which 
had dropped, and remained in the earth. It grows from both 
roots, slips, and seed. I have destroyed this new growth by 
turning up the roots, by a shallow ploughing, to the irost 
of a severe winter. Those who have not yet been visited 
with this scourge, should be watchful to eradicate it, at any 
expence or labour, on its first approaches. A small+degree 
of expence and attention will then pret what it is ex- 
tremely d ficult to remedy, when it has gained iull posses- 
sion of their fields. ce a 
