326 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. [Ch.XXVTII. 



opinion that their cultivation, and more especially that of hemp, might be 

 attended with such immediate benefit as probably, in many instances, to 

 repay the purchase of the fee-simple, together with all the expense of 

 bringing the land into a state of permanent pasture. 



Hemp suits such soils better than flax ; and, if grown upon such an 

 extensive scale as to warrant the employment of persons who are well ac- 

 quainted with its management, there can be no doubt of its leaving a pro- 

 fitable return. Very minute directions regarding its cultivation, both in 

 this and other countries, may be found in a treatise on the subject, pub- 

 lished some years ago by Robert Wissett, Esq., F.R. and A.S. 



Chapter XXVIII. 



ON TEASEL,— CORIANDER, CARRAWAY, CUMMIN, ANISE, CANARY, 

 RADISH, AND SPINACH SEED,— AND PHYSICAL PLANTS. 



Many of these articles are rather largely cultivated in some parts of Somer- 

 setshire, Yorkshire, Kent, and Essex, and the latter county is remarkable 

 for the joint production of a triple crop, consisting of the three first men- 

 tioned plants, sown together on the same land ; the crops being taken off 

 at separate periods, and requiring three years for their complete production. 

 In the first, the several seeds come up, and when of sufficient growth, are 

 set out with a hoe ; and the coriander, which is an annual, is ripe before 

 the corn harvest. In the second year the carraway produces a crop ; and in 

 the third, the teasel is in perfection ; after which the land is usually cleared 

 for wheat ; though — as the two last are perennial — crops are ;not un- 

 frequently taken in the fourth year, and instances have been known of the 

 carraway and teasel being continued until the seventh *. 



The most favourable soil is a strong rich clay, or what is generally 

 termed good wheat land ; and the most general practice for the purpose is, 

 to break up an old ley in the month of November, which, after being 

 deeply ploughed and well manured, is sown in the following spring. The 

 cultivation is, however, usually conducted upon joint account between the 

 farmer and some jobbing labourers, who are accustomed to that species of 

 cuhure ; he agreeing to find land free of rent and parish rates, together 

 with manure and the use of his teams, while they supply all the remaining 

 expense and labour, and the produce, when sold, is equally divided. The 

 plan is, indeed, in every respect advisable for the different operations ; 

 great care and expertness being requisite on the part of the workmen, 

 who will be more likely to pay proper attention to their own interest than 

 to that of another person. 



THE TEASEL 



is a plant wliich, in the first appearance after it is sown, is much like a 

 lettuce, but it afterwards grows to the height of several feet, bearing heads 

 of a conical form, two or three inches in length, and one, or one and a 

 half in diameter at the bottom, or largest end ; armed on every part with 

 small strong points, or horny vegetable hooks turned a little downwards. 

 They are used in the dressing of baize by the woollen manufacturers, who 

 fix them upon frames covering a cylinder, which, in turning round, 

 slightly catches the cloth, while another part of the machine draws it against 

 them ; by which means the knap is raised to the desired length. The 

 * Survey of Essex, vol. ii. p. 61. 



