IMPROVEMENT OF GRASS LAND 195 



CAMPANULACE^: 



Sheep's Scabious (Jasione montana L.), known also 

 as Sheep's-bit, is an upright branched weed of dry hilly 

 pastures on heathy light soils. It grows to a height of 

 i to ii feet, is somewhat hairy, with few leaves, about 

 \ to i inch long, and several heads of blue or lilac-blue 

 flowers over \ inch across, superficially resembling a 

 scabious. It flowers in June to September. Seeding 

 should be prevented, and the soil improved by manures. 



ERICACEAE 



Cross-leaved Heath (Erica Tdralix L.), a common 

 and well-known Heath, in which the leaves are placed 

 crosswise, four in a whorl ; the rose-coloured flowers 

 are in drooping terminal clusters or heads. It grows 

 i to ij feet high, and flowers in July to September. 



Common Heather or Ling (Calluna vulgaris Salisb.) 

 is also one of our commonest plants in many districts. 

 It is from i to 2 feet high, woody and branched, with 

 very small smooth, almost linear leaves. Many small 

 rose-coloured or white flowers on very short stalks 

 are produced, persisting long after the fruit is ripe. 

 Flowering, July to September. 



Both of these plants are perennials, which occur on 

 heathy moorland soils and on upland pastures or 

 rough grazing land. If it be required to reduce them, 

 burning, with grubbing or cultivation, is necessary ; an 

 application of lime checks further growth of all the 

 Heaths. 



GENTIANACE.E 



Common Centaury (Erythrcea Centaurium Pers.) is 

 an erect, smooth, branched plant of i foot or more in 

 height, with radical, elliptic-oblong leaves \ to 2 inches 



