WEEDING AJND LAND-DITCHING. 47 



gent farmer attends to, as he sees occasion j 

 shall mention only weeding, or cleaning the land, 

 and land- ditching. The best opportunity for 

 getting the field clear of weeds, roots, and other 

 such matters, is afforded by the fallow. The 

 ground is then at liberty to admit of continued 

 ploughings ; and of thistle and dock-irons, or 

 bush-hooks, to eradicate those troublesome in- 

 truders, for which they are intended ; and, if 

 necessary, of the shovel and mattock, to remove 

 suckers and roots of trees. Weeding, how- 

 ever, goes on to a great extent with the hoe 

 and other instruments, as we have seen, when 

 the crops are up. 



Land-ditching, or draining on certain humid 

 soils, is almost as necessary as any other act of 

 husbandry ; indeed, without this, in many cases, 

 all other tillage would be labour in vain. Where 

 water hangs in the land, on or near the surface, 



