244 ^f"- William Pitt on the 



root. Mr. Curtis has proved, that cutting it off, even below the surface, 

 only tends to spread it farther : it must be destroyed by fallowing, and using the 

 same process as for squitch. 



14. Wild carrot (Daucus carota), common, and sometimes troublesome in dry 

 land ; a biennial plant, producing seed plentifully ; this, in its cultivated state, is the 

 well known garden carrot (Withering) ; but Miller informs us, that he could never 

 improve the wild carrot so as to render the roots in any degree comparable with 

 the cultivated carrot ; the seeds have been used as diuretic and carminatives, and 

 are highly recommended in fits of the gravel and stone (Withering). Miller says, 

 the shops have been supplied with old seeds of the garden carrot, instead of fresh 

 ones of the wild carrot, to be used medicinally. Flora Rmtica. 



15. Shepherd's needle, here beggar's needle (Scandix pectenj, sometimes abound- 

 ing in hard tilled land, and its seed not easily wholly separated from grain in dressing. 

 It is a small annual plant, producing a plentiful crop of seeds; each seed furnished 

 with a spike or beak from one to two inches long, whence its name of needle : it 

 seldom abounds in well managed land. 



1 6. Chickweed ( Ahine media), sometimes troublesome in a crop on land ren- 

 dered fine by tillage, from which it should be rooted out. The Rev. Mr. Shaw 

 remarks, that chickweed is an excellent out-of-door barometer: when the flower 

 expands boldly and fully, no rain will happen for four hours or upwards ; if it con- 

 tinues in that open state, no rain will disturb the summer's day ; when it half con- 

 ceals its miniature flower, the day is generally showery; but when it entirely shuts 

 up, or veils the white flower with its green mantle, let the traveller put on his great 

 coat, and the ploughman, with his beasts of draught, rest from their labour. 



17. Curled dock (Rumex crispus) : this plant should never be suffered to shed 

 its seed on any land, but should be rooted up and carried off in time : in arable 

 land, the roots should be carefully picked off during the tillage, or they will pro- 

 duce vigorous luxuriant plants, drawing much nourishment from the soil, to the 

 injury of the intended crop. The plant is a hardy perennial, very tenacious of 

 growth by its roots, and producing a wonderful increase of seeds; too much cau- 

 tion cannot be used in avoiding sowing it, nor too much pains bestowed in its ex- 

 tirpation : it is the pest of clover fields in Norfolk. Withering. 



J 8. Arsmarts, or lakeweeds (Polygonums fersicaria and pensylvanicum). 



