Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/529

CH A when we are most inclined to ex- cuse ourselves from affording it to the needy. Hence, we propose to impart a few miscellaneous hints, supplementary to those we have already given, under the articles Alms, and Beggars. We cannot but reprehend the selfish principle of such modern philanthropists as practise, syste- matically, the trite, bat prevailing, adage, that " charity begins at home." For, though in the dis- pensation of alms, we may find it, perhaps, altogether impossible to avoid giving charity to some unde- serving persons, yet it is a duty in- cumbent upon every good man, to bestow it at all times, without deeply entering into the merits of the question, and carefully to shun every species of ostentation. It may, indeed, be objected, that the pressure of the times is such as to preclude, in many well-disposed individuals, the ability of contri- buting their mite towards the relief of distressed objects ; having, per- haps, large families to maintain, as well as heavy taxes and poor-rates to defrav ; yet we venture to re- ply, that prudence and frugality will always enable them to adjust their domestic economy ; so that, after satisfying every natural and legal demand, they may have a small overplus to spare, for the as- sistance of those who are destitute of human aid. There are many other objections to the indiscriminate giving of cha- rity, which our limits will not permit us to discuss : and though it may appear a bold assertion, yet we pledge ourselves for the truth of it ; namely, that it is chiefly pride and indolence, or some other equally disgraceful motive, which keeps the one half of the world in a CH A [495- state of ignorance, with respect, to the wants, distresses, and suffer- ings of the other. CHARLOCK.WildMustard, Charlock, or Corn-Cale, the Sinapis arvensis. L. an indigenous plant, which grows in corn and turnip fields. It is a very noxious weed, especially among' turnips, to which it bears so great a resem- blance, that it is said, instances have occurred, of hoers taking up a whole crop of turnips, and leaving the charlock. To obviate this evil, it has been recommended to- turn a flock of sheep into a field abound- with this weed} for, during the early period of its growth, they will prefer it to the crop. Some 'lands are exceedingly liable to be over- run with the charlock, particularly when they have been manured with cow-dung alone, as that is very favourable to its growth. Expe- rienced farmers, in general, are so well convinced of this effect, that they always mix horse-dung with that of cows, for manuring arable land. When barley is infested with charlock, to such a degree as to en- danger the crop, that weed has been mowed down with success in the month of May, While in flower ; but care should be taken to cutoff', at the same time, the tops of the barley leaves. Thus, the latter will shoot up above the weed 5 and it is a remarkable fact, that four qu enters of grain have been obtain- ed from such land as, without this expedient, would have been almost unproductive. The most effectual method of extirpating the charlock is, to sow arable land with grass-seeds, and thus convert it into pasture; be- cause the former never grows where a coat of grass covers the ground. When