266 On Weeding Land. 



hand-hoed, which, if executed early, especially with a thin 

 crop, is supposed to be beneficial ( 382 ). But where so great 

 an expense must be incurred, drilling is to be preferred. 



In Gloucestershire, hand-hoeing is still more prevalent. 

 The plants of wheat are set out by the hoe, about six inches 

 from each other, by which the heads are rendered larger 

 and more productive. If any weeds, after all, make their 

 appearance, they are destroyed by hand pulling ( 383 ). 



In hand-hoeing drilled turnips, the tool is struck down- 

 wards, unless when the turnips are to be thinned, or set out, 

 when the operator shoves and pulls with it, (as the operation 

 is technically termed), that is, the hoe is alternately pushed 

 across the drill, and drawn back, thus singling out the 

 plants. 



5. Horse-hoes are either what are called Dutch-hoes, 

 (provincially scrapers], or small ploughs of the ordinary 

 construction. In either case, the hoeing is executed by the 

 aid of one horse ; and skilful ploughmen are selected for 

 conducting this important branch of rural labour. 



6. The brake-harrow is a more effectual and expeditious 

 mode of removing root-weeds than ploughing. The teeth 

 should be 15 inches long, not sharp, but set obliquely for- 

 ward. The land, if perfectly dry, should be rolled and har- 

 rowed alternately. 



7. The scarifier or grubber, and a harrow invented by 

 Finlayson, and greatly improved by Wilkie, are likewise 

 most effectual implements for the extirpation of root- weeds. 

 (See Chap. II. Sect. 7, No. 1, p. 116). 



3. The Expense of the Process. 



Considering the important advantages derived from weed- 

 ing, the expenses cannot be accounted great ; and they are 

 always amply repaid, if the work be executed with judg- 

 ment. 



The expense of cutting weeds, or pulling them up by the 

 hand, in crops of grain, must vary according to circumstan- 

 ces. Cutting thistles is often done at the rate of from six- 

 pence to one shilling per acre, according to the number of 

 plants with which the land is infested. Effectual hand-weed- 

 ing will, in general, cost at least 10s. per statute acre, but 

 in some cases more. The weeders begin as soon as the an- 

 nual weeds will bear pulling; they sit, or rather kneel du- 

 ing the operation, as when weeding flax or carrots; and 

 pull every weed that has made its appearance. This ex- 



