1 MARCH 1940, Page 17

Mystic Weeds

On the subject of useful weeds, an attempt is being made to give a scientific basis to a sort of mystic belief in the efficacy of some common weeds. Here is one claim. In one serious and well-informed description of Major Wilson's famous vegetable farm in South Lincolnshire it is suggested that peculiar virtues, as manures, belong to the dandelion, yarrow, valerian, camomile, stinging nettle and oak bark. " The preparations made from these familiar plants are applied directly to the contents of the compost pits after their last turning. It is held to work as a leaven, setting in motion processes in the soil which would not be started by ordinary humus." It happens that all these plants are old friends of the herbalists.