AGRICULTURE AND PLANTIN©. 73 



O/i the Use of the Thistle-Cutter. 



surely if any plant deserves to have a mark set upon it, is certainly this. 



This thistle is more general in its growth than any of the others, being 



found not only by the sides of roads, but also in arable and pasture lands. 



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It is remarkably prickly, grows from two to three feet high, its heads of' 

 flowers are small and of a purplish colour, and sometimes white. But this thistle 

 is too well known to require a particular description. 



It flowers in July. 



Of these thistles, all, except the two last, are either annual or biennial; 

 that is, remain in the ground not more than one or two years, unless renewed by 

 seed. The last two having perennial roots, continues in the earth, increasing and 

 throwing out new shoots or stems every year. 



Hence it will appear obvious, that if the fi^rst seven species of thistles arc 

 cut down, and rolled before they perfect their seed, the ground will entirely be 

 cleared of them in two years. But the two last mentioned can no otherwise be 

 destroyed, than by rooting them out on arable land by deep ploughing and fre- 

 quent harrowings. 



On- pasture land, the corn sow thistle seldom makes its appearance, but in 

 the hedge rows ; the last thistle is an inveterate plague to it. 



No plaits are more easily destroyed, than the first seven species of thistles; 

 or with more difficulty, than the last two. 



Fallowing and laying the land down to pasture is the only method of de- 

 stroying the corn sow thistle. But the only method of destroying the common 

 thistle, is by cutting them in the bleeding season. 



For which purpose I have invented this machine, which greatly reduces the - 

 cxpence, arid cuts the thistles nearer the ground than the common scythe. 



As soon as the thistles are in full flower, the machine must be set to work 

 the length way of the ridges; and if the scythes are kept very sharp, it willmake 



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