Extirpation of Weeds, 2og 



other weeds to ripen and shed (particularly of the class syngenesia), is not only a 

 private neglect but a public nuisance, as they will propagate themselves to any 

 distance by means of their feathers, which keep tliem afloat in the air, and they 

 are wafted about by the various currents of wind till, by degrees, the fi-aihers no 

 longer supporting them, they are deposited in the crevices of loose or cultivated 

 land, where they vegetate, and produce a plentiful crop, to the surprise of many, 

 who wonder by what means they came there. I have frequently observed a fresh 

 bank of earth dug from the bottom of a canal, produce plentiful and vigorous crops 

 of thistles and coltsfoot, and some people who liave seen it have fancied that the 

 seeds or fibres of these plants had been concealed in the earth, not knowing, or not 

 considering that the seeds had been Hying in the air, and that an elevated bank of 

 earth was more liable to arrest their progress than the flat even land; as well as 

 that the seeds were more likely there to vegetate, and produce a crop, than on a 

 matting of turf. 



ig. Groundsel ( Senecio vulgaris ), another very common garden weed, with 

 seeds feathered as before, and capable of spreading themselves far and near, with 

 this farther chance of propagating themselves, that the plant is extremely quick of 

 growth, insomuch that after clean weeding a garden, walk round it in a week or 

 two, and you may be surprised to find many plants of this kind, with the seeds 

 ready to take flight. The eradicadon of this weed can only be effected by con- 

 stant and unremitting attention ; the plant, with its seed bud, is very acceptable to 

 small birds confined in cages. 



20. Common nettle (Urtica dioica), generally growing in hedges or shady 

 places, but sometimes appearing elsewhere, when it must be destroyed by rooting 

 up; the young shoots are gathered in spring to boil in broth; the leaves cut may 

 be mixed with the food of turkies and other poultry. Withering. 



21. Mistletoe ('F/ia/;« album), very common on fruit trees near the Severn, and 

 in many other places, and when gotten to a head said to be very injurious in pre- 

 venting their bearing ; it should, therefore, be plucked off in time. 



22. Lasdy, I shall add the cultivated potatoe ( Solanmn tuberosum), which, 

 however valuable as a crop, is very apt to remain in the ground, and intrude 

 amongst other after crops to their injury, as well as having a slovenly appearance : 

 this inconvenience is doubtless owing to want of clean getting up the crop ; but it 

 is very difficult to get up the crop perfectly clean, and every small root, or part of 



