142 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



A satisfactory mode of extirpating Buttercups has yet to 

 be discovered. They are too numerous to be dealt with 

 individually, but they occupy so much space that no reason- 

 able effort should be spared to weaken their growth. Early 

 mowing checks them, and a generous dressing of farmyard 

 and artificial manures assists the valuable herbage, while it 

 discourages the development of Buttercups. 



Crowfoot, Celery=leaved {Ranunculus sceleratus),is by 

 far the most poisonous of our native Ranunculi. It imme- 

 diately affects the milk of cows that eat the leaves, and has 

 been known to cause the death of young stock. The habit of 

 the plant is erect ; the leaves glossy, rather fleshy, and divided, 

 somewhat resembling those of celery ; the small pale yellow 

 flowers appear throughout the summer, and, like the leaves, 

 emit a strong nauseous odour when bruised. This species can 

 be exterminated by pulling up the plants, which is very easily 

 done ; and if ditches and ponds are thoroughly cleaned for a 

 couple of seasons, during May or June, Celery-leaved Crowfoot 

 wiU cease to be troublesome. 



Deadly Nightshade {Atropa Belladonna). — A poisonous 

 plant, found in waste places on chalky and limestone soils, 

 which is easily distinguished by its solitary purple flowers and 

 the fetid odour of the leaves when bruised. Whenever this 

 plant is discovered it should be effectually destroyed. 



Fetid Mayweed, or Stinking Chamomile {Anthemia 

 Cotula). — A white-flowered, annual, compositaceous plant, 

 having furrowed stems and finely-cut leaves covered with 

 minute resinous glands, secreting an acrid principle which 

 blisters the skin when the plant is handled. The offensive 

 odour differentiates this from other Mayweeds, such as the 

 Common Chamomile and the Corn Chamomile. The species 

 is common in rough pasture lands and leys, and should be kept 

 under by the repeated use of a sharp hoe. 



