On Plaister of Paris* 85 



in constant hostility against these formidable foesr His 

 reward in a victory over them, will be a certain increase 

 of his crops, which will be doubly benefited by every 

 effort to destroy useless and noxious plants. 



It would entitle any person to the gratitude of his 

 fellow citizens, who could point out a mode of destroy- 

 ing with the least expence and labour, the weeds which 

 iniest our fields. However contemptible it may appear 

 on a slight view, it is an object w^orthy genius and in- 

 dustry, to botanize for the perfect understanding of the 

 nature and properties of weeds, for the purpose of 

 their destruction. In my tours through this state for 

 some years past, 1 have observed, with melancholy at- 

 tention, the most destructive w^eeds, and particularly 

 the St. John's Wort, overspreading our country. The 

 ransted,* has now passed the mountains. The more 

 fertile the soil, the more it is subject to be over-run by 

 them. Though 1 have subdued many, yet these weeds, 

 and particularly the St. John's Wort, |^i J have baffled 



'^ Toad-flax. 



fij Two well attended crops of Indian corn or potatoes, will 

 conquer die old stock of this weed ; but I have had, alter I 

 supposed it eradicated, a new growth Ironi the seeds which 

 had dropped, and remained in the earth. It grows from both 

 roots, slips, and seed. I have destroyed this new growth by 

 turning up the roots, by a shallow ploughing, to the irost 

 of a severe winter. Those who have not yet been visited 

 with this scourge, should be watchful to eradicate it, at any 

 expence or labour, on its first approaches. A small degree 

 of expence and attention will then prevent, what it is ex- 

 tremely dfricuh to remedijy when it has gained lull posses- 

 sion of their fields. 



