Extirpation of TFeeds. 265 



Many of these plants deserve farther examination respecting their utility for 

 cattle, or the contrary ; green or in hay, as being hardy natives, their increase may 

 be encouraged ; or if injurious, means should be used towards their extirpation, or 

 at least to weaken them, and reduce their numbers. 



I\'. IFeeds in fVasfe Lands. 



The weeds growing in waste land, considered as particularly injurious to such 

 land, are not very numerous ; for though many species of plants, useless for the 

 food of domestic animals, grow there, yet, as there is no chance of introducing any 

 thing better till such lands are appropriated and improved by cultivation, they can 

 hardly be considered as noxious, so long as nothing belter can be introduced in 

 their stead. 



As waste lands in their present state are useful only as sheep-walk, or for pro- 

 ducing fuel, the improvement of them as sheep-walk is an object deserving atten- 

 tion, particularly as such improvement would render them of greater value in case 

 of inclosure, and would much shorten the business of bringing them into cul- 

 tivation. 



The weeds that encumber waste lands, and reduce their value as sheep-walk, are 

 of two kinds ; the common upland rubbish, and the bog weeds ; the former smothers 

 the land, so as to prevent the growth of better herbage, and the latter are generally 

 injurious to animals that feed on them, either from their own nature, or because 

 the land on which they grow is uncomfortable for, and unwholesome to, the health 

 of animals, especially to sheep. 



The upland rubbish is principally, 1. Heath (Erica's J, of sorts. 2. Furze or 

 gorse (Ulex europaiis). 3. Petty whin, or hen gorse (Genista anglicaj. 4. 

 Broom ( Spartium scoparium ), but more commonly found in neglected dry arable 

 land; these, where the land is of tolerable staple, should be burnt off, or grubbed 

 up early in the spring ; and if the land was afterwards sown with hay seeds in moist 

 weather, it might much mend the herbage ; also, 5. Fern fPteris aqiiili/iaj, should 

 be mown and carried off in summer, the value of it as litter being well wordi the 

 labour. 



The bog weeds, or those occasioned by stagnant water, are principally, 1. Cotton 

 grass (Eriopborum polystachion, and vagi tiatumj. 2. Maiii grass fNardus strictaj. ' 

 3. Rushes (jfuncus's), several sorts, 4. Red ratde or louse wort (Pedicularis 

 VOL. V. Mm 



