264 On Weeding Land. 



those weeds that are to be found in his grass-lands, in his 

 hedges, or upon the sides of any road that may lead through 

 the farm he occupies. The effects of such a regulation would 

 be highly beneficial ( 37B ); more especially when there is a 

 malicious encouragement given to thistles or other weeds, as 

 is sometimes the case ( 379 ). 



3. Weeds in Hedges. Both young and old hedges suffer 

 greatly from the weeds which infest them, and of course their 

 growth is considerably impeded. Indeed young quicks can- 

 not thrive unless they are kept clean. Every weed growing 

 in hedges is a nuisance, more especially, if it is suffered to 

 ripen its seeds, which are liable to be carried into cultivated 

 land by the wind, or conveyed by water to flooded or irri- 

 gated meadows ( 38 ). There are also some kinds of hedge- 

 weeds, which bear the character of being hurtful to stock. 

 On these accounts, all plants growing in hedges, more espe- 

 cially such as have winged seeds, should be extirpated, as 

 useless in themselves, and often injurious to the neighbour- 

 ing fields, or the domesticated animals which pasture in 

 them. 



4. Weeds in Waste Lands. While lands of this descrip- 

 tion continue uncultivated, it is highly expedient, that, at the 

 joint expense of the parties interested, (if they be held in com- 

 mon), measures should be taken for destroying weeds, and 

 thus introducing better herbage. Furze and broom might 

 thus be extirpated, and the land sown with hay-seeds in moist 

 weather. Ferns should be mown and carried off in summer, 

 their value, as litter, being well worth the labour. In Nor- 

 folk, they are mown by the cottagers, for fuel. Lands in com- 

 mon would thus be rendered capable of maintaining a greater 

 number of stock. 



As attention has seldom been paid to the draining of such 

 lands, much stagnant water, and various bog weeds, are to 

 be met with- These plants would give way to better her- 

 bage, if the bogs were drained ; and this ought to be done, 

 by a rate levied upon the inhabitants having right of com- 

 mon, a majority of whom, in value of property, should be 

 authorised by law to impose it. In this way, the herbage 

 produced would be of a better quality, and the health of the 

 stock pastured upon it would be better preserved. 



5. Woods and Plantations. A great number of plants that 

 may justly be denominated weeds, are to be met with in 

 woods and plantations. As cattle or sheep are not usually 

 admitted into these, until the trees are grown out of their 

 reach, as in groves, it is of less consequence what plants 



