WEEDS OF AGRICULTURE. 327 



the leaves, the increase of the creeping roots went on in pro- 

 portion, and rendered simple hoeing afterwards for that sea- 

 son of little use. The roots are frequently found deep in the 

 soil, and when it gets established in clayey or marly lands, 

 it is next to impracticable to get rid of it. By deep plough- 

 ing and forking out, a great expense is incurred; and, as 

 before observed, should the smallest portions of the roots be 

 left in the soil, plants will be produced from them, and the 

 previous operations of ploughing and forking out will be 

 found to have prepared the soil for the more rapid propaga- 

 tion and extension of these plants. However, if the colt's- 

 foot can be ploughed and forked out at a reasonable expense, 

 it will assist more effectually the practice, recommended 

 above, of destroying the plants, by never suffering them to 

 flower or to develop their leaves, which may be effected by 

 the hoe when the land is under an annual crop, provided the 

 row culture be adopted. 



CORN BINDWEED, Small Bindweed (convolvulus ar- 

 vensis). Leaves arrow-shaped, acute at each end; 

 stalks mostly single-flowered ; bracteas minute, remote 

 from the flower. Root perennial. Flowers in June and 

 July. 



The root penetrates to a considerable depth in the soil, 

 and creeps powerfully. Light sandy soils are most subject 

 to it. Corn bindweed is as difficult to extirpate as colt's- 

 foot : and when it once gets introduced into the soil, whether 

 in grass or in tillage land, it is found to be unconquerable 

 by the ordinary modes of weeding. The stems entwine 

 round and choke the plants of corn, pulse, or grass. Every 

 portion of a broken or divided root will grovv and produce a 

 plant ; it vegetates rapidly, and spreads in every direction. 

 By never allowing the young shoots to develop the leaves, 

 but by hoeing on their first appearance above-ground, in the 

 course of one season the roots will be found so much ex- 

 hausted, as to yield afterwards to the drill culture of crops, 

 provided the principle be acted on of using the hoe, so as to 

 prevent the shoots of the plants from expanding their leaves. 

 The mode recommended for the speedy and effectual de- 



