o -2 Mr. WilUam Pitt on the 



confounded with the corn chamomile (Anthemis arvensis, and Matricaria chamo- 

 millaj, from which it is to be distinguished by its disagreeable smell ; thfy are all 

 injurious to corn crops, and should be prevented or destroyed by good fallowing, 

 or by weeding out. 



51. Blue bottle f Centaur ea cyanus), an annual weed, with a somewhat elegant 

 blue flower ; common in corn, where the tillage has been imperfect, or too long 

 carried on without cleaning, by turnips or fallow. 



52. Great knapweed (Centaurea scabiosaj, a perennial corn weed, growing in 

 tufts of many stems from the same root ; should be destroyed in fallow, or by weed- 

 ing out of the crop. 



53. Pansy [Viola tricolor), an annual flower, often found amongst corn, where 

 it is produced by seeds not destroyed in the preparation for the crop : the beauty 

 of the flowers has gained them a place in gardens. 



54. Corn horse-tail (Equisetum arvensis), often found in corn land, the fertile 

 stem appearing early in the spring, with that of coltsfoot, and decaying before the 

 other part of the plant appears. Loesel says, if ewes in lamb eat it, abortion is the 

 consequence; but it is believed sheep or cows will not eat it, unless compelled by 

 hunger. It must be destroyed by the same tillage and weeding recommended for 

 coltsfoot. 



55. Fern fPteris aquilina), not uncommon in corn fields on dry sandy land; a 

 hardy perennial, tenacious of growth, and striking a long tap root into the ground, 

 beneath the reach of the plough, which shoots up vigorously when the sun becomes 

 powerful ; the plant should be drawn up after soaking rain, but it will sometimes 

 require a good deal of pains and attention to destroy this plant, particularly on 

 land where it has been long established. 



These are the principal weeds which the writer hereof is acquainted with, as in- 

 festing our corn fields ; and in addition to what has been said before on their ex- 

 tirpation, the following is added here, in which, if there should be any repetition of 

 former expressions, lie hopes it will be excused, as the necessity of banishing them 

 from cultivated land can scarcely be too strongly incucated, or too often repeated. 



On destroying Weeds on Corn Lands. 



Dr. Anderson observes, tliat " there is only one mode of extirpating annual 

 weeds, whose seeds are indestructable ; that is, to put the ground into such a state 



