880
is performed in a rather careless and superficial manner, per-haps at the expence of a shilling or less per acre. In thesouth-western counties, instead of the weed-hook, the weedersare provided with a more effective implement, a pair of for-ceps or nippers with two long handles, by which the thistlesare pulled up by the roots. There was a time, within thememory of old people, before the introduction of cultivatedclover, when these thistles, even in the south-eastern districtof Scotland , were carefully collected as the main support ofthe work horses during the summer months.
Where docks are very numerous, either among grain crops,or in cultivated herbage, they are, or ought to be, pulled upby the hand, after heavy rains, when the soil is soft enough toallow their long tap-roots to be drawn out without breaking,and before the seeds approach towards ripeness.
On lands which have been improved from furze, or whins,and broom, the seeds of these shrubs will lurk for many yearsunder the surface uncorrupted, and will vegetate in greatnumbers after the land is again laid down to grass. In thiscase, a very moderate attention to have the seedling plantspulled up in the first and second year of the ley, will securethe land from again running wild, although kept in grass fora good many years. This operation, however, must alwaysbe performed when the soil is saturated with moisture, as theroots can only then be pulled up without breaking. In everysubsequent rotation, at least for a good many years, the sameattention must be used to eradicate the successive crops, whichwill arise from the dormant seeds remaining in the ground.
The extirpation of briars and brambles from arable landis attended with a little more trouble, as their vivacious rootsare placed below the operation of the plough, and cannot bepulled up. To get rid of them, it is necessary to dig them outwith great care.