OBJECTIONABLE AND PERNICIOUS WEEDS. 21 
on retentive lands it gives much trouble. The seeds are very 
similar in appearance to the seeds of dock, but they are 
smaller, their edges are toned off, and they have a white speck 
_ at their nib; their shiny appearance at once betrays their 
presence in seed samples. Sorrell should be dug out from the 
pasture land and killed. 
Rip Grass oR PLANTAIN SEEDS (PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA). 
This grass is only half a weed, as on light lands it is sown, 
and has a place in commerce, yet on good land it is a nuisance, 
spoiling clover seed samples, from which it is impossible to 
extract it after the seed is drawn from the cob. The difficulty 
—if difficulty it can be called—is easily surmounted by sifting 
before the seed is drawn from the cob. The artificial wind 
blows the clover cob away, and the rib grass falls directly to 
the ground. Rib grass seed is exactly like tiny date stones to 
look at, and sheep are exceedingly fond of it. They will thrive 
well upon rib grass, and it can perhaps with advantage be 
grown on land that is not good enough for much else. On 
these lands it will be found absolutely perennial, producing an 
abundance of wholesome herbage which sheep are immensely 
fond of; but rib grass is of little good for hay, and very 
difficult to make hay from. If sown, sow ro lb. to 12 Ib. per 
acre, mixing with other suitable seeds. 
BUTTERCUP OR CROWSFOOT (PLANTAGO LANCEOLATA). 
On nearly all pastures and moist-bottomed land this yellow 
flowering weed is a great nuisance. Although when its roots 
are exposed it is easily killed with the sun’s aid, it is most 
persistent in reappearing, the seed apparently lying dormant in 
the land. Its presence denotes lack of quality in the pasture, 
and it is alleged that if the buttercup is eaten by cows the 
