IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS LAND 155 



soil. The pasture becomes more and more filled with 

 yellow Buttercup, and it loses half its value by the 

 presence of acrid plants which cause every year injury 

 to, if not the death of, some animals. It would be 

 better and more profitable where land is burdened 

 with Buttercups to plough it, carefully clean it, take at 

 least one root crop off it, and then sow it with grasses 

 and clover pure in quality and of good germination. 

 Properly sown down and generously treated, a good feed- 

 ing pasture has thus been secured within a year of the 

 sowing." 



Two other species of Buttercups, Lesser Spearwort 

 (R. Flammula L.) and Celery-leaved Crowfoot (R. scele- 

 ratus L.), which occur in ditches and wet places, may 

 also occur in wet meadows, and on account of their 

 acrid, poisonous properties should be removed. (See 

 p. 279.) 



Hellebores (Helleborus sp.), which sometimes occur in 

 woods, hedges, and pastures, are poisonous plants, and 

 should be cut down. (See p. 280.) 



Monkshood (Aconitum Napellus L.) may also occasion- 

 ally be found in grass land in shady places, and being 

 poisonous, should be eradicated. (See p. 276.) 



BERBERIDACE^E 



Barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.). The reason for 

 including this shrub as a weed is that, occurring in 

 hedgerows and similar places, it plays a part in the 

 dissemination of Wheat Rust (Puccinia graminis Pers.), 

 one stage in the life history of which is passed upon 

 its leaves. The Barberry is a shrub which attains 

 4 to 6 feet in height, bearing alternate leaves i to 

 ij inch in length, and forked spines ; the small yellow 

 flowers are borne in drooping clusters, and appear 



