416 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



loose all further vegetative power. The roots of this thistle 

 are difficult to subdue in this way; but perseverance will 

 ultimately accomplish their destruction. It is almost use- 

 less to add, that he who operates upon this weed, must 

 provide himself with a thick pair of leather gloves for the 

 purpose. 



Tne common thistle (carduus) is easily destroyed by 

 mowing it when in blossom, or by pulling or diging it up in 

 the Spring. 



The ycllowweed (ranunculus) prevails mostly in wetish 

 meadows, where it roots out most of the grass. It is, how- 

 ever, highly relished by cattle in fodder; though its product 

 will be found small, compared with that of the grasses 

 which before filled its place. When eaten green, it is hot 

 and acrid, and cattle do not much relish it. 



Hollow draining wet lands, and manuring, and cultivating 

 them with tall grasses, or in some of the methods before 

 mentioned, which may be most suitable to the soil, will 

 quickly extirpate this weed. 



The ivhitciveed, Mayweed, or oxeye (chrysanthemum) 

 roots out the grasses in pastures and mowing lands, where 

 the ground is not very strong; but where it is wtll enriched 

 with suitable manures, it gives way to the grasses in turn. 

 Ii never makes its appearance in a very strong tough sward. 

 Cattle will eat it in hay, if it be cut green, and well made; 

 but they dislike it in pastures; and at best, its product is 

 but small. 



To extirpate this weed, manure the land strongly, and 

 cultivate it yearly with carrots, hemp, or tall grasses, as 

 may be most suitable to the soil Common hoed crops, 

 when yearly repeated, will also subdue it. But where it 

 grows in moist meadows, which are not intended to be hol- 

 low-drained, the best means of destroying it are frequent 

 top-dressings of composts suitable to the soil (see MANURES) 

 or pulling it up by hand, which should be done when it is 

 in blossom. 



The daisy prevails mostly in upland pastures; and some- 

 times, where the soil is not strong, it chokes the crops of 

 wheat, fLx, &c. It may be dcs.royed by yearly hoed cropS| 

 by hemp, tall grasses. &c. 



The 'wild onion (allium canadense) prevails most in Penn- 

 sylvania, where it was brought by the Swedes, and used for 

 pasture. It is very injurious in crops of wheat, and by no 

 means inoffensive in those of rye. It is also bad food for 

 Milcii-cows, as it imparts its taste to their milk, butter, and 

 cheese. Yearly hoed crops, hemp, and tall grasses will 

 gradually subdue it. Frequent ploughing and barrowin^s, 

 when the ground is dry, is also benefi :iul. Let the lush 

 method of planting potatoes be also tried. 



