358 OF WEEDING. 



They seem to have paid more attention formerly, at 

 least in some parts of Scotland, to the extirpation of an- 

 nual weeds, than is thought of at present. It is recorded, 

 that an intelligent landlord, Sir William Grierson, was 

 accustomed to hold Goul, (Chrysanthemum) courts, for 

 the express purpose of fining the farmers, on whose grow- 

 ing crop three heads, or upwards, of that weed was found:* 

 Such a practice, if generally adopted, would soon extir- 

 pate annual weeds. 



In regard to perennial, ov root-weeds, a summer-fallow 

 is the most effectual remedy. By turning over the ground 

 frequently whilst in a dry state, without making the sur- 

 face suddenly fine, drought is admitted, so that the root- 

 weeds do not readily grow again, hence they become weak 

 and sickly. But though they appear dry and shrivelled, 

 knot-grass, dock-weeds, and many other perennial roots, 

 revive upon the return of moisture, after even having ap- 

 peared to be dead. The most effectual method, therefore, 

 is to gather all such roots carefully by the hand. After 

 being deposited in a large heap, and becoming corrupted, 

 such roots make excellent composts, when mixed up with 

 hot lime. Annual weeds, arising from seeds that have lain 

 for lime immemorial in the soil, are, on 'the other hand, 

 best destroyed by retaining the moisture, which is secured 

 by harrowing soon after the plough, thereby keeping the 

 mould as fine and pliable as possible. Such seeds as are 

 within reach of the atmosphere, soon vegetate in so fa- 

 vourable a situation. The young plants are destroyed by 

 fresh ploughings, and harrowings, from which new crops 

 of weeds spring up, and are destroyed as before. 



* Statistical Account of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 4. {Parish of Torthor- 

 wald). 



