WEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. 307 



always be sown on a naked fallow. It must be understood 

 that these hints are given with a view to the common hus- 

 bandry. 



5. TARES (ervum tetraspermum). Smooth Tare. About 



two flowers on a peduncle ; seeds globular, four in a 

 legume. 



Ervum hirsutum. Hairy-tine Tare. Peduncles many- 

 flowered ; seeds globular, two in a legume. 



Two species of wild tares, called the tine tare and the 

 stra?igle tare. It is said, that on dry soils, in wet seasons, 

 they have overrun and destroyed whole crops of corn ; and 

 it is well known that the seeds of the hairy-tine tare will lie 

 on the ground for years, but only vegetate in wet sum- 

 mers. They are the favourite food of the turtle-dove. 

 The wild tares are not common, and the seeds of them are 

 much too small to be mistaken in samples for the cultivated 

 sorts. 



The miller's objection to these seeds is, that they have a 

 strong taste when ground in the flour. Hence it seems to 

 become an important consideration, whether field tares 

 should be suffered to go to seed, or rather to be fed off, and 

 ploughed down soon enough to prevent it. Also, for soiling, 

 small patches may be set apart, and seeds, at last, may be 

 raised therefrom. For it seems to be a doubtful advantage 

 in agriculture, that the introduction of tares should overrun 

 our fields with new enemies. 



The cultivated tares are very common in samples of wheat 

 and barley in the market of Peterborough in Northampton- 

 shire. Perhaps in other places they may not yet prevail, 

 and the farmers will do well to avoid them by all means. 

 It must be unpardonable neglect to sow them with seed corn, 

 but if they come of the general cultivation of the plants, the 

 matter is much more serious. 



6. WILD OATS (avenafatua). Bearded Wild Oats, or 



Haver. Panicle erect, compound ; spikelets pendulous; 



X 2 



