On Weeding Land. 257 



fprm their seeds with wings, by means of which they are 

 scattered about by the wind in every direction, and frequent- 

 ly to a considerable distance. These are so dangerous as 

 to require, not only partial attention, but general efforts to 

 have their future progress arrested, by cutting them down 

 wherever they are to be met with, before, or as soon as they 

 have flowered. 



From a perusal of the County Reports it appears, that 

 both in England and Scotland, weeding is too much neglect- 

 ed ; though, in several districts, since the introduction of 

 turnips and other cleansing crops, with row culture and a 

 more correct mode of fallowing, the ground is kept much 

 cleaner. But still on many farms, weeds continue to occupy 

 a considerable portion of that surface, for which the farmer 

 annually pays rent and taxes ; and by their growth, the pro- 

 duction of useful articles is considerably lessened. 



In discussing this subject, it is proposed to consider the 

 various sorts of weeds ; the descriptions of lands in which 

 they are respectively found, and how they may be eradica- 

 ted ; the instruments made use of in weeding ; the expense 

 of the process; the means of preventing their increase; 

 the civil or legislative regulations which would contribute to 

 their destruction ; and the advantages which would ensue, 

 were their extirpation accomplished. 



1. Of Weeds in general. 



Weeds are commonly divided into three classes Annuals* 

 which continue only one year, the plant dying after its seeds 

 are perfected ; Biennials, which continue two years, and die 

 after maturing their seeds the second year ; and Perennials^ 

 which continue in existence several years. Many of these 

 are propagated both from the root and from the seed. 



These different sorts of weeds are found in corn fields ; 

 in grass-lands; in hedges; in -waste and uncultivated 

 lands ; and in woods and plantations ; and even gardens, 

 notwithstanding the care bestowed on their culture, are not 

 exempted from them. 



1. Corn-Fields. In a list given by an intelligent author, 

 of the weeds which infest our corn-fields, no less a number 

 ib*ajifty-five are enumerated ( 3<Sl ). Fortunately their extir- 

 pation can in general be accomplished, by nearly the same 

 processes. 



The most effectual means of ensuring their destruction, on 

 strong land, is by a clean and complete summer fallow ; or on, 



