1868. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



165 



BUTTER CUP, OR TALL CROWFOOT. 



This "flower of the field" is a native of Europe, 

 but is now common in New England and other 

 parts of the country. There are several varieties. 

 The one represented by the cut is named Acrid 

 Raimncidus by the botanists. The stem is from 

 one to two feet high, as shown, on a reduced scale, 

 by Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an enlarged flower divided to 

 show the insertion of the distinct parts on the 

 receptacle. Fig. 5, a head of seed pods, and fig. 6, 

 a separate pod. In some localities this weed is 

 so abundant in meadows and pastures as to appear 

 at a distance, when in bloom, like an unbroken 

 sheet of goldeil yellow. On account of their very 

 acrid juice, cattle do not eat them in their fresh 

 state, but when cut with the grass and dried, the 

 acridity is dissipated, and they become apparently 

 quite innocuous. Before the introduction of Span- 

 ish Flies, says Mr. Darlington in his "American 

 Weeds and Plants," these and other species were 

 used to produce blisters ; being 

 uncertain in their operation, they 

 are seldom employed. About a 

 dozen other species are to be 

 found in the woolands and mead- 

 ows, and a few aquatic ones in 

 streams and ponds. The only 

 one of these which assumes the 

 character of a weed at the north 

 is R. repens, L., the long stems 

 of which are usually prostrate 

 and rooting at the joints ; it has 

 large bright flowers, and is some- 

 times common in wet meadows. 



A variety grows in Europe with a fleshy 

 bulb, which is highly acrid, and which, it is 

 said, is sometimes used by beggars to cause 

 ulcers upon their bodies, in order to excite the 

 sympathy of those to whom they appeal for 

 charity. This variety is a troublesome weed. 



know not the relative value of stock. Sharks of 

 every size and grade are around him to prey 

 upon his ignorance and good nature, and the 

 result is an empty pocket and a store bill. 

 Out West here you must learn the art of trad- 

 ing. To be a judge of horses, cattle, hogs, 

 and sheep, as well as of the manner of feeding, 

 breeding, &c., is no small matter. The want of 

 this keeps thousands of farmers poor, and will. 

 Practical Skill.— Many presume to think j until they learn, by bitter experience, to change 



that they can leave the workshop or bar and 

 succeed in farming, but they are sure to fiail, 

 no matter how well versed they may be in the- 

 ory, or, as it is called, book farming. Beside, 

 a person may raise good crops and valuable 

 stock, but one great object is not yet gained, 

 which is to dispose of our products to good 

 advantage. Young farmers have to contend 

 with this, and in trading with their brother far- 

 mers they are sure of being taken in if they 



their way of doing business. In short, he 

 only can be a successful farmer who has taste 

 and experience in all the various branches of 

 this most various of all pursuits. I have tried 

 the theoretical, and the advice of others, and 

 failed, and it was only when, discarding all 

 others, and trusting to Dame Nature and com- 

 mon sense, that I have realized a fair compe- 

 tency. — S. W. Williams, Mechanicsburg, 111., 

 in N. Y. Tribune. 



