Value of Burnet. 189 



much attention from agriculturists in England about from 100 to 

 150 years ago, if I may judge by the long notice of it in the 

 " Complete Farmer," which was published in 1793. Burnet is 

 there recommended as a valuable fodder for winter, and early in 

 the spring, and it is noticed that it not only remains green in hard 

 frosts, but increases in bulk and grows if the winter should be 

 mild. The straw was found to be very useful fodder for horses, 

 cows, calves, and sheep, and the chaff of great value if nuxed with 

 any other ordinary chaff. Burnet seed was found to be as good 

 as oats for horses, and for these it found, therefore, not only hay 

 but com. One of the farmers quoted in the article was satisfied 

 "that there is no better pasture for cows, whether nulch or 

 barren, than burnet.' Arthur Young is quoted as follows : — 

 " Experiments have been made in most parts of the kingdom that 

 prove the exhausting quality of rye -grass ; its narrow leaf, and 

 fibrous roots, class it in this respect, as well as its botanical 

 arrangement, with com; but the broad leaf of burnet, and its 

 deep carrot root, indicate the contrary effect ; and accordingly, in 

 several trials that have been made, it has been found to amehorate. 

 The poorest soils in the kingdom agree well with it, even such as 

 are too poor to produce any other herb. The hot pungent quality 

 of the plant has been found exceedingly advantageous to sheep 

 touched with the rot." Another writer (Mr. Pitt) quoted in the 

 article alluded to thinks the plant a good one to sow, instead 

 of ryegrass, with clover or trefoil, being abiding, very early in 

 spring, extremely hardy, bidding defiance to frost, and sustaining 

 the chilling blast of the east wind without fading. 



It may be of interest to mention that in Bacon's " Essays," the 

 one entitled " Of Gardens " mentions the plants which perfume the 

 air most delightfully when trodden upon and crushed. These are 

 burnet, wild thyme, and water mints. "Therefore," he says, 

 " you are to set whole alleys of them, to have the pleasure [of the 

 perfume rising around you he means,] when you walk or tread." 

 I may add that we have a Shakesperean reference to burnet in 

 King Henry V., Act V., Scene II. 



The even mead, that erst brought sweetly forth 

 The freckled cowslip, burnet, and green clover. 



