RE^T HARROW : CAMMOCK 605 



(v) The application of manures and other substances. 



(vi) Close feeding with stock. 



RANUNOULACE.ffi — Upright Crowfoot {Ranunculus acris 

 L.). — A perennial buttercup with short thick underground stem 

 and fibrous roots, or occasionally with an oblique rhizome, but 

 without runners. The flower stalks are cylindrical, and the 

 calyx is hairy and spreading. 



Creeping Crowfoot {R. repens L.).— See p. 587. 



Bulbous Crowfoot (R. bulbosus L.). — A perennial with a 

 swollen bulb-like stem without runners; the flower stalks are 

 smooth and furrowed, and the hairy calyx is reflexed back to 

 touch the flower stalk. 



These plants are known as buttercups, and are not eaten by 

 stock in a fresh state, except perhaps in small quantities. They 

 all contain acrid poisonous juices, especially virulent at the time 

 of flowering, but when dried in hay they lose their injurious pro- 

 perties, and are then readily eaten by farm animals. The seeds 

 of the two first-mentioned species occur in impure samples of 

 rye-grasses (Fig. 226), and are introduced to the farm in grass 

 and clover leys, 



CEUCIFEE.ffi. — Cuckoo Flower, Lady's - Smock, Bitter 

 Cresses {Cardamine pratensis L.). — An erect-growing perennial 

 with pinnate leaves and lilac flowers, whose four petals are 

 arranged in the form of a cross. 



The plant flowers in early spring, and is prevalent in moist, 

 undrained meadows, 



CARYOPHYLLACE.a;.— Most of the Campions mentioned on 

 page 590 occur in meadows. 



LEGUMINOS.ffi, — Best Harrow: Cammock {Ononis spmosa 

 L.). — A very variable shrubby perennial, with pink vetch-like 

 Howers and small ovate pods containing two or three seeds. 



It is common in certain localities on poor neglected lands 

 of a dry, sandy or gravelly nature, as well as on cold clays. 

 O. spinosa proper grows erect and possesses strong spines. 



