106 THE PRACTICAL SIDE OF 



The condition of the soil is almost as 

 important as its character or composition. 

 Where land is foul it is costly to cultivate, 

 and if foulness is indicated by the weeds upon 

 the surface, it is rational to suppose that it 

 is equally foul with seeds which will germinate 

 on the least provocation by the implements 

 of the farm, and smother or partially de- 

 stroy young plants growing from seed which 

 was sown for a coming crop. 



It is specially important for the prospec- 

 tive small holder to notice whether either 

 grass or arable land is foul with couch 

 or twitch grass, which every man who pro- 

 poses to take land for cultivation for a liveli- 

 hood should be able to recognise with ease. 

 If he is not, and if the more destructive weeds 

 are unknov/n to him, he has missed his voca- 

 tion and had better seek some other, for the 

 recognition of the enemies of the farmer is 

 among the first of his qualifications. 



The common bent grasses, especially those 

 with creeping roots, the sedges, charlock, 

 poppy, mayweed, daisies, and buttercups also 

 indicate foulness or poverty in the soil. Among 

 the more prevalent and troublesome weeds on 

 arable land are the poppy, charlock, the thistle, 

 and the dock. The two latter are difficult 



