Extirpation of Weeds. 259 



plants here particularized are such as the writer has observed himself, or the autho- 

 rities are given. 



1. Cotton grass, hares-tail, moss crops ; (Eriopborum vaglnahnn and poly- 

 stachioti), growing in bogs or meadows ; poor people stuff their pillows with the 

 down, and make wicksof candles with it. This plant is a certain token that drainage 

 has been neglected. 



2. Hog weed, low parsnip [Heracleum aiigustifoliumj, often found in meadows, 

 but too coarse and weed like to be suffered to abound on well managed land, 

 though I believe cattle will eat it cither green or in hay : may probably be weak- 

 ened or destroyed, by annually cutting up. 



3. Wild cicely, cow weed (Cbctrophylliim sylvestre), common in orchards, 

 hedges, meadows, and pastures: cattle are fond of it in the spring, but I think it 

 too coarse to be encouraged amongst grass. This plant and the last may probably 

 be worthy of trial in cultivation by themselves, being of luxuriant growth, would 

 yield a large produce, but their value has not yet been fully ascertained. 



4. Ramson (Allium ursirnini), in some meadows, but commonly in hedges ; 

 other plants will not flourish near it ; cows eat it, but it gives their milk and its 

 produce a garlic flavour, ?nd should therefore be weeded out. 



5. Rushes of sorts (Juncus's), often found in meadows, and pastures, and area 

 sure indication that the land wants draining; which when efFtcted, they always 

 give way to better herbage, though their extirpation after draining will be accele- 

 rated by top dressings of ashes. 



6. Docks (Rumex crispiis, acutiis, obtusifolius, &c.J should be rooted up after 

 rain, from meadows and pasture land, being refused by cattle; and eaten only by 

 fdllow-deer, who prevent their flourishing in parks, 



7. Bistort (Polygonum bisioria), in some places occupying large patches in 

 meadows, to the injury of better herbage ; it is a perennial plant, but might doubt- 

 less be weakened by repeatedly rooting up; the root is one of the strongest 

 vegetable astringents. Withering. 



8. Wild campion [Lycbnis dioitaj, often found abundantly in arable pastures, 

 where care should be taken to exterminate them, by v/ell fallowing the land ; there 

 are two sorts, with white and red flowers. 



9. Goose tansy, silverweed, or feathered cinquefoil (Potentilla anseriiuijy 



LI 2 



