Extirpation of Weeds^ 261 



much difficulty ; it is a perennial plant, and increases much by the root (Flora 

 Rustica). It might however, very probably be much weakened, and by degrees 

 extirpated, by drawing up after rain. " Goldfinches are fond of the seeds." 

 Withering. 



19. Sedge grasses, various sorts (Car^.v's), provincially hard grass, iron grass, 

 carnation grass, most common in old sour moist land, undrained and unimproved ; 

 where in some places it occupies the whole surface; extremely hardy, and flourish- 

 ing where scarcely any thing else will grow ; seems produced by nature from this 

 principle in her economy, that a bad plant is better than none, for this plant is not 

 eaten by cattle who can get any thing better; yet, upon draining and top-dressing 

 the land, it will generally give way to a finer and more valuable herbage. 



20. Nettle (Urtica dioicaj ; sometimes growing in tufts on pasture land, where 

 it should be rooted up, as it will prevent the growth of better herbage ; asses are 

 said to be fond of it, and cows eat it in hay. 



21. Mosses (Musci), various sorts; sometimes spreading on pasture land, and I 

 believe indicating that the herbage is starving and torpid, and wants a stimulus to 

 quicken its growth : top-dressing should be used, and draining, if necessary ; and if 

 the land be arable, a pulverization by tillage with liming, and the seeds of fresh 

 herbage, after a crop or two, may be applied. 



The above I consider as plants to be extirpated from meadow and pasture 

 land ; besides which there are many others of less import, whose characters are 

 doubtful, or uses not ascertained, and to which little attention is commonly paid 

 but what they command from the beauty and variety of their flowers; the most 

 common of which, that have come under the observation of the writer hereof, are 

 as follows : 



1. Speedwell (Veronica's'), two or three sorts; little attention is paid to them 

 by farmers ; they are common in pastures, and I believe eaten by cattle. 



2. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), common in moist land. 



3. Spurwort (Sherardia arvensis), in arable pastures after tillage, 



4. Ladies mantle [Alchemilla vulgaris), not uncommon in meadows. 



5. Primrose, cowslip, &c. (Primula's), considered as of no consequence, to the 

 hay or herbage. 



6. Centory (Cbironia centaureum), exiremely bitter; a diminutive plant with a 

 pale red flower, common in pastures. 



