200 WEEDS OF FARM LAND 



The weed is of little agricultural importance, as it is never 

 eaten by live stock unless they are unusually hungry, but its 

 medicinal value as a cure or preventive of scurvy was recog- 

 nised by some of the oldest writers. 



Rumex obtusifolius (Broad-leaved dock). Cattle will not 

 eat the plant, but in the North of England the boiled foliage 

 is used as food for pigs. Withering states that fallow deer eat 

 it so greedily that it is rare to see a dock growing in a deer 

 park. The name " butter-dock " is given because the large 

 leaves are often employed for wrapping round butter and cheese. 

 The root is very astringent, and acts in the same way as the 

 powder or tincture of Turkey rhubarb. It was formerly used 

 by dyers, and when powdered makes an excellent dentifrice. 1 



Rushes are among the plants that have gradually decreased 

 in importance with the progress of civilisation. Nowadays 

 rushes are considered chiefly as troublesome weeds, which are 

 to be eradicated whenever possible. In older times many 

 useful articles of household economy were made from them 

 as they were worked up into mats and into baskets of all 

 descriptions, from coarse fishing baskets to finely woven ware. 2 

 The familiar term " rushlights " points to the use of the pith 

 of some rushes for making candles. Little baskets and 

 children's toys were made from the same pith. When twisted 

 together rushes were used to make ties for bundles and other 

 rustic implements, and it is probable that they provided the 

 material for the earliest cordage. Indeed, the rushes of some 

 countries are commonly made into ropes and cables, and in 

 this country mats and chair bottoms were formerly manu- 

 factured from them. 1 



Scleranthus annuus (Annual knawel). Cattle refuse to eat 

 this, but sheep and goats will feed on it. 3 In some parts of the 

 continent, as Sweden and Germany, it is said that a decoction 

 is made and the steam inhaled as a remedy for toothache. 4 



Senecio vulgaris (Groundsel). This abundant weed seems 

 to be of little use for any purpose except as a food for cage 

 birds. Few animals care for it except goats and pigs. 3 The 

 expressed juice has been used to cause the evacuation of bot 

 worms from horses. 4 The bruised leaves are healing if applied 

 to boils, and an infusion can be used in small doses as a purga- 

 tive and in large quantities as an emetic. It was far more 

 valued by the old herbalists than it is now. 



1 Pratt, loc. cit. z Pliny, loc. cit. 



8 Wilson, loc. cit. 4 Hogg and Johnson, loc. cit. 



