24 
The Management of Grass Land. 
The large or common spud-thistle is best eradicated by what 
is termed a " thistle-drawer " — an implement formed like the two 
first fingers, resting upon a round projection in the shape of the 
back of the hand, which is placed in a shaft of moderate length : 
the two leading prongs are placed on either side the thistle, and by 
a gentle wrench the thistle is removed entire from the ground. 
This may be done at such period as they may show themselves 
sufficiently large to be removed. These thistles may also be 
removed by placing a drop of sulphuric acid upon the crown. 
Nettles are found most upon the rich or better pasture lands, 
and from their peculiar or determined growth are exceedingly 
troublesome to eradicate. The common practice is to knock 
them Avith a fork as they appear above the pastures, or to mow 
them at different periods, but neither plan is found to reduce 
them with any degree of certainty. The application of agricul- 
tural salt to them, at different periods of the season, has in many 
instances succeeded in removing them. Some persons raise the 
ground with a fork and draw out the roots, which practice, if 
closely followed up through a few seasons, is certainly effective. 
The appearance of this weed upon pasture lands is considered a 
sure indication that they are improving, or are already rich soils, 
as they are rarely found growing upon inferior pastures. 
Rushes are indigenous to wet soils, and are the certain guide to 
moist situations. They are to be removed by deep and effectual 
draining only, whereby the food of this aquatic plant is suspended 
or carried away : hence they are supplanted by modern grasses 
in due proportion to the change that has been eff^ected in the 
character of the soil. 
Hassocks may also be described as the production of cold or wet 
lands, for they are rarely found upon dry pastures, unless such 
pastures have recently been drained. 
When they casually appear upon grass lands, they are removed 
by what is termed a "hassock-hoe," which takes them off^ just 
below the root, without making a deep hole in the surface, when 
well performed ; they are then removed and burned for ashes, to 
be taken to the arable land, and the then vacant spots are sown 
with grass-seeds. When they appear to a considerable amount, 
which is too frequently the case in the midland counties, they are 
removed by this process in immense quantities, and carted into a 
heap, there to decay, and, being afterwards mixed with lime to 
form a compost, are again returned to the soil. They are also 
successfully removed by a short scythe, which is kept exceedingly 
sharp for the purpose; in such case the party applies the imple- 
ment as near the bottom of the " hassock ' as circumstances 
will permit, which is accomplished by a quick and determined 
stroke : by attention to a repetition of this plan they are effectually 
