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No. XV. 



On the Subject of Weeding ; or the Improvements to be effected in Agriculture by 

 the Extirpation of Weeds. By Mr. William Pitt, of Wolverhampton. 



1 HE cleaning of all kind of crops, and keeping them free from weeds, is an essen- 

 tial part of cultivation ; which if omitted, neglected, or but partially performed, a 

 part of the cultivated crop will be lost, in proportion to the prevalence of such 

 weeds, from defective preparation, or partial extirpation ; for the nourishment drawn 

 from the ground by the roots of all vegetables being somewhat similar, where that 

 nourishment is suffered to be drawn by weeds it is lost to the intended crop, which 

 will therefore be reduced in produce in proportion as it has been deprived of nou- 

 rishment, and prevented from occupying its whole extent of ground. 



The same observation will apply to pastures, to hedges, and plantations, and to 

 all parts of the earth's surface reclaimed, occupied, and cultivated for the use of 

 man ; for therein the^ growth of noxious or useless plants will be injurious to the 

 success of the useful ones, and in proportion as the former abound, the latter must 

 prove defective. 



The cleaning of a crop from weeds must be effected in two ways: 1. In the 

 preparation ; and 2. During the growth of the crop. In the preparation, attention 

 must be given to distinguish root weeds from seedlings, as their destruction must 

 be effected upon different principles. 



The vegetables we term weeds, are more hardy and tenacious of growth than any 

 others; nor indeed can it be otherwise than that those plants, which succeed in spite 

 of opposition, must be of the most hardy kind. The production and growth of 

 weeds is equally consistent with the Divine goodness with that of the most valuable 

 plants, for myriads of diminutive creatures, enjoying life and animation, are sup- 

 ported by them, and to whom they are a more natural prey than the dietetic plants 

 of mankind: and man, possessed of reason, reflection, and intelligence, has powers 

 and abilities to select and cultivate such vegetables as are adapted to his use, and 

 proper for his sustenance, and to destroy and extirpate others ; and thus to appro- 

 priate to himself what proportion he thinks proper of the earth's surface j which if 



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