NOTES ON WORTHLESS GRASSES, ETC. 139 



Sedges and Rushes {Carex sp. and Juncus sp.). — Even 

 under vigilant supervision these plants will sometimes intrude 

 on the low-lying portions of water-meadows, and if neglected 

 they multiply so rapidly as practically to exclude the 

 gramineous herbage. The most effectual mode of destroying 

 these semi-aquatics is to drain the land thoroughly ; where 

 this is impossible the herbage must be cut low several times 

 in every season. 



Soft Brome Grass {Bromus mollis). — The early and 

 abundant production of seed facilitates the spread of this 

 pernicious grass. So rapidly is the seed-crop developed that 

 the leaves and stems are drained of the httle nutrition they 

 possessed, and the herbage is therefore worthless as hay. As 

 Soft Brome Grass is of annual, or at most of biennial, duration, 

 early mowing for two or three seasons reduces it in meadow 

 lands, and in pastures it can be diminished by a dressing of 

 ammonia salts combined with mineral manures. 



Sorrel, Common {Rumex Acetosa), is closely allied to 

 docks, and is found in nearly all meadows, sometimes in great 

 profusion. The plant sends down its tap-root to a considerable 

 depth, and destruction by hand is almost impracticable. 

 Dressings of mineral and ammonia salts weaken sorrel, and at 

 the same time assist the grass crop. 



Thistle, Creeping {Carduus arvensis). — When once esta- 

 blished in a pasture this weed is difficult to extirpate. Soils 

 rich in lime are its favourite home. On such land the strong 

 rootstocks creep in all directions, and penetrate to a depth of 

 two or three feet. Constant spudding in early spring, when 

 the shoots are full of sap, will hasten the exhaustion of this 

 perennial weed. 



Thistle, Marsh {Carduus palustris), often abounds in 

 low-lying marshes, and sends up a sohtary erect stem to a 

 height of three or four feet. A large quantity of seed is 



