248 Mr. William Pitt on the 



weeds, appearing amongst corn early in the spring; but being quick of growth and 

 soon exhausted, are not of much consequence. 



36. Smooth-leaved chadlock (Brassica napvs). 



37. Rough-leaved chadlock, or wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis). 



38. Pale-flowered chadlock, or wild radish fRaphanus rapbnnistrum). 



These three plants are confounded together by farmers, under the general name 

 of chadlock, pronounced here kedlock, though they are as different and distinct, to 

 the investigating botanist, as wheat, barley, and oats. They are all extremely com- 

 mon, and nearly equally so, if a large range of country be examined; though the 

 di ffrent sorts are more or less abounding in different places ; in this neighbourhood 

 I can generally gather the three sorts in the same field, but the mustard is much 

 more abundant ; in the neighbourhood of Lichfield, where chadlock is indeed very 

 abundant, it is almost universally wild rape. Some years ago I observed in the 

 common fields of Rudandshire, the whole surface was tinged over with the flowers 

 of the wild radish: they are all great nuisances, and, when suffered in abundance 

 to ripen their seeds, must draw much from the soil, to the great injury of the crop; 

 and as they are very quick of growth, and perfect their seeds expeditiously, it is not 

 uncommon for these plants to shed their seeds at the rate of several bushels per 

 acre ; and as it is well known that the seeds will vegetate after laying many years 

 in the ground, it is no wonder they should produce a plentiful crop; yet, being 

 simply annuals, they are not difficult of destruction, if due attention and proper 

 means be used. To destroy these, as well as all other seedlings, the land in tillage 

 should be pulverized early in the spring by ploughing and harrowing, after which, 

 rain and warm weather will soon cause all the seeds to vegetate that are near the 

 surface; ihey may be permitted to grow till they begin to flower, then plough thfem 

 in, and again harrow the land, and the next rain will cause most of the remaining 

 seeds to shoot ; which must in due time be ploughed under as before ; and if any 

 should afterwards appear amongst the crop, they should be hoed or hand wed out; 

 by this means, in one or two tillages, these plants may be totally eradicated ; but 

 if they are permitted to shed their seeds, their increase cannot be wondered at, whetj 

 their prolific nature is considered, as well as the extreme hardiness of their seeds. 

 The seeds, when dressed from grain, have, I understand, been frequently manu^ 

 factured into oil. 



39. Wild rocket (Brassica muralis). It is observed, in some one of the county 



