MAGPIE FIELDS 



a small flock of sheep were turned into the clover 

 field to eat off the last crop, the preceding crops 

 havi-ng been mown. There were two or more 

 magpies among the sheep every day ; magpies, 

 starlings, rooks, crows, and wagtails follow sheep 

 about. The clover this year seems to have been 

 the best crop, though in the district alluded to it 

 has not been without an enemy. Early in July, 

 after the first crop had been mown a short time, 

 there came up a few dull yellowish-looking stalks 

 among it. These increased so much that one 

 field became yellowish all over, the stalks over- 

 topped the clover, and overcame its green. 



It was the lesser broom rape, and hardly a clover 

 plant escaped this parasitic growth. By carefully 

 removing the earth with a pocket-knife the two 

 could be dug up together. From the roots of the 

 clover a slender filament passes underground to the 

 somewhat bulbous root of the broom rape, so that 

 although they stand apart and appear separate 

 plants, they are connected under the surface. 

 The stalk of the broom rape is clammy to touch, 

 and is an unwholesome greenish yellow, a dull un- 

 decided colour; if cut, it is nearly the same texture 

 throughout. There are numerous dull purplish 

 flowers at the top, but it has no leaves. It is not 

 a pleasant-looking plant a strange and unusual 

 growth. 



