CH. II.] THE ROOT. ] 19 



of tlie land crosses a field, the "vs'av thistle will be 

 found on that part to be remarkably the most 

 luxuriant and robust. 



If the colts-foot (Tussilago farfara) is prevalent 

 and luxuriant, it may be considered certain that the 

 soil is fertile ; it may indicate that the land has 

 been ill-farmed, and that under- draining, especially, 

 is required; but the staple of the soil ^^■i^l generally 

 be fomid to reward the judicious cultivator. 



Where femiel {Meum fcenicidum of Smith, AncB- 

 thumfcenicuhinio{ljmn2exis)is obseiTed upon land, it 

 indicates not only that the soil will reward the efforts 

 of the cultivator, but that chalk (carbonate of limej 

 will in some form be fomid in the vicinity. 



Com mint (Mentha an'ensisj is never found upon 

 unfeitile soils, but it is a certain indication that 

 underdraining is required. It will not live except 

 where there is more moisture habitually in the soil 

 than is requu'ed for the healthful vegetation of 

 cultivated crops. 



The scaly stalked spike-rush (Eleocliaris ccEspitosa) 

 is indicative of a soil not very easily reclaimable, %-iz. ; 

 the bog resting upon a retentive subsoil. 



Common knot grass (Polygonum aviculare ), black 

 grass f Alojtecunis agrentis), and the smaller leaved 

 creeping bent (Agrostls stolonifera angustifoUaJ, are 

 very far from being indicative of barrenness. They 

 are most noxious weeds, injuiious to the legitimate 



