CHAPTER VI 



WHAT ARE THE WORST WEEDS? OPINIONS OF 

 AUTHORITIES AS TO THE TWELVE WORST 

 WEEDS IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS 



THE species of weeds which are generally troublesome 

 differ considerably in various districts, and it was 

 thought that it might serve a useful purpose if some 

 attempt were made to ascertain, more or less approxi- 

 mately, what weeds are found most harmful and difficult 

 to combat in a series of localities. A number of prac- 

 tical agriculturists were therefore asked to state what 

 they considered the six worst weeds of arable and 

 grass land respectively in their neighbourhood, and 

 what were the means best suited to cope with them. 

 The replies are given below in the form of a table, and 

 are of considerable interest. Most of the common 

 names are generally known, but in many cases the 

 specific names have been given. Further informa- 

 tion on the various species will be found in other 

 chapters. 



In the table the returns have been so arranged that 

 they commence with the north of Scotland and end at 

 the south coast of England, this being perhaps a better 

 plan than that of taking them in alphabetical order. 

 Ireland is unfortunately not included. 



An analysis of the replies shows that in twenty- 

 nine returns referring to arable land the species in 



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