CHAPTER II. 



OF FALLOW WEEDS. 



The distinction of fallow weeds is not made as if all surface- 

 rubbish, and the seedlings which grow, were not to be also 

 destroyed by the fallow ; but rooted weeds, and a few 

 others, deserve to be particularized, and treated as objects 

 to which attention ought to be drawn. After all which 

 has been said about pulverizing the soil, that the seedlings 

 may vegetate, this has never been the object of any fallow. 

 In clay land, and all stiff loams, every exertion is made to 

 break the soil down as fine as possible ; but the weeds grow 

 incidentally, and according to the season, and must be 

 destroyed if they grow. In all light soils, a high state of 

 pulverization is unavoidable, because while they are work- 

 ing out the couch, the other necessarily takes place. But 

 whether many seedlings shall grow, depends on the mois- 

 ture of the season, as before. Mr. Pitt says, '* I have 

 observed, that wet weather is as necessary as dry, to give a 

 summer fallow its whole effect." Meaning, that the frequent 

 showers encourage the germination of seeds, and as plants 

 are destroyed by the next ploughing. Most farmers may 

 have observed the same thing, though they cannot alter the 

 weather; but in waiting and wishing for rains, all hard land 

 farmers look more to the pulverization of their fallows than 

 to the vegetation of their annual weeds. The only obser- 

 vation of any practical importance is, that clai/ Jie/ds for 

 fallow, ought J if possible, to be autumn-ploughed ; because in 

 spring you may be obstructed by drought, and be prevented 

 from attaining the necessary pulverization. Couch is very 

 hard to kill in clay ; it will scarcely ever draw ; and in 



