THE

AGRICULTURAL MAGAZINE.

No. LXXVIL]* DECEMBER, 1805:[Vor. XIII

ON A MACHINE FOR CUTTING DOWN THISTLES AND NOXI1OVS WEEDS:.

To the Editor of the Agricultural Magazine. SIR,

N my different excursions through the kingdom, I have frequently obzerved very large zurfaces of land almost covered with Thistles, Nettles, Fern, Ragwort, and other noxious vegetables, which both waste the quality of the Soil they grow upon, and occupy a Space which ought to preduce good grass. This led me to consider how to. inprove Such land at a little expence, by destroying Such plants, and perhaps rendering them useful rather than detrimental to the soil Whilst considering the Subject Jast Spring, business called meto London, and I was taken by a friend to visit the rooms of the Society in the Adelphi, tor the Encouragement of Arts, Ma- nufactures, and Commerce. It appeared to methatthis Institu- tion Bot only reflects great honor upon 11s founder, Mr. Shipley, and the Members who have ever Singe its establiehment con- 4inued by their exertions to preserve it in 89 flourisbhing a state, but that it has in a national point of view contributed more to promote the objects it proſfesses to patronise, than could have been effected in any other mode whatever, by a Similar Sum of money. Although there did not Seem to be Suficient room in the present repository to allow immediately a clear view of the different Models and Machines which it contains, yet I bad the good fortune to See there, a model of an implement Pointed out to me by the name of Mr. Ringrose's'Phistle- Cutter, which' appeared likely to answer the purpose I wished for. Having Since tried a Machine upon this plan with great Success, 1 recommend it to you as an implement deserving the attention of your correspondents. The best time for using It 18 before the weeds begin to Bower; they Should then be cut down, raked together, and carted away to any convenient place to be burnt;; their asbes may be imwediately mixed vp with earth or dung, and form excellent manure. If this plan was generally adopted the growth of 1hese weeds 4Ag. Mag. Yol. 13. 3D