Extirpation of JVeeds, 



^51 



land we'' cleaned by former <Tood m?.n-'gem''ni will best he^x \\w .devifition, f(jr the 

 fewer weeds it contains at breaking up, the Ic.ss will be the increase f>r weeds daring 

 the tillage. 



There is another cause of the increase and propagation of weeds, which may be 

 termed a public cause, which it is not in the power of any individual to- prevent ; 

 ■which a slovenly, neglectful, or ill-disposed m lividual may promote and increase, 

 and which can only be prevented by a political regilaiion, anJ 'or which, I believe, 

 no provision has yet been made in our political code ; this is the numbers of vi- 

 gorous and luxuriant weeds which are suffered to ripen their seeds in our hedges, 

 pastures, woods, and other lands, and whose seeds being furnished with feathers, fly 

 over the whole country, and propagate themselves far and near, growing wherever 

 they alight and settle, and producing a plentiful crop ; the most common and per- 

 nicious of which are the following : 



1. Sowthisdes (Soncbus's ), several sorts. 



2. Saw-worts (Serratula's), sorts. 



3. Thistles fCarduus'sJ, sorts. 



4. Coltsfoot (Tiissilago farfara). 



5. Groundsels (^-Sfw^i/'o'^^, sorts. 



6. Knap weeds (Centaiirea's), sorts. 



As the seeding and scattering the seeds of these plants is clearly a public nuisance, 

 as they are liable to be carried to a great distance by currents of air, and to injure 

 the lands of all persons indiscriminately, I think they ought to be within the reach 

 of our political regulaUons. It is very justly observed by the President of the Board, 

 '* that some regulation of police for fining those who harbour weeds, the seeds of 

 which might be blown into their neighbours'ground, has no injustice in the principle." 

 Dr. Withering observes, that in Denmark there is a law to oblige the farmers to 

 root up from their corn-fields the corn marigold (Chrysantbemuin segetum) -, but 

 this plant is not so publicly injurious as those above specific ', the seeds having no 

 feather, are much less liable to be blown elsewhere. It might, perhaps, be worth 

 while to enquire the nature of this law in Denmark, though probably the despotism 

 of the laws of that country might be unsuitable to our freer constitution ; the fol- 

 lowing regulation is what strikes me in the fir^t instance as practicable, and which 

 may, probably, be better modelled upon farther consideration. 



Suppose then the petty constable were required, by precept from the high constable, 

 VOL. V, LI 



