Agricultural fVeeds. 
375 
with the next, as well as fresh plants of the same, in consequence 
of dormant seeds having been brought within the power of 
growth bv newly stirring the soil ; from which it is obvious that 
weeds are not to be eradicated by one effort, however vigorous it 
may be. 
The getting rid of weeds would appear to resolve itself into 
the two following heads : — 
1st. Destroying those already in the soil. 
2nd. Preventing others being sown. 
The first of these must be considered with reference to those 
weeds which are already rooted in the soil, that is, weeds of a 
perennial character, as well as those annual weeds the seeds of 
which have been scattered at different periods. 
■ ! Perennial and deep-rooted Aveeds can only be got rid of by 
properly preparing the fallows, to which end farm-work should 
always be got as forward as possible. One of the most common 
causes of the continuance of weeds is that work is delayed until 
it is time to get in the seed for the crop, when untoward weather, 
want of time, or some other cause, prevents the possibility of 
that thorough cleaning which is necessary to get rid of weeds. 
Seed is thus put into foul land, ichich must wait until a more con- 
venient season for being cleaned. 
In the usual process of arable farming, the preparation of the 
soil by ploughing, scuffling, harrowing, and exposure to sunshine 
and drought, clears the land of a great quantity of weeds ; but 
if we observe the depth to which the underground stems of couch, 
coltsfoot, bindweed, and such-like plants, penetrate, we shall see 
at once that this is not sufficient to exterminate the enemy ; but, 
having done this in the most careful manner, we may observe 
that there are still spots left here and there in a field where 
these weeds flourish. Now, it appears to me that the best 
method of dealing with a case like this is to go carefully over the 
ground after the crop is removed and dig up the weed-patches 
with a three-pronged fork. With this implement they can be 
followed in their direction and deptli ; and thus, by a simple em- 
ployment of day-labour, these isolated nurseries of mischief may, 
if not too numerous, be readily, perfectly, and cheaply broken up. 
Indeed, there is no mode so efficient as this ; and, from long 
observation of the natural history of weeds of this kind in arable 
fields, I am convinced that more may be done by the fork towards 
the complete eradication of deep-rooted weeds than by any other 
means. 
There are some of these deep-rooted weeds which are exceed- 
ingly troublesome in pastures, such as the stinging-nettle, butter- 
bur, and bistort. These occur in patches, some in the corners of 
the field, others in wet places, while the bistort will be found 
