144 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



Hemlock, or Water Dropwort {CEnanthe crocata). — 



A coarse-growing, umbelliferous, poisonous perennial, attain- 

 ing a height of three or four feet, and having deep green 

 compound leaves. The umbels of white flowers appear in 

 July. In the South of England and the Midlands this plant 

 often abounds in ditches and by the side of watercourses to 

 which cattle have access. Cutting down the plants in spring 

 and early summer, and keeping ditches, &c., clean, are the 

 most efficacious means of preventing mischief from this 

 dangerous plant. 



Meadow Saffron {Colchicum autumnale). — A poisonous 

 bulbous plant, which is not uncommon in light-soil pastures 

 and meadows in the Midlands. The pale purple flowers appear 

 in autumn, followed by broad, glossy, lily-like leaves in the 

 spring. The bulbs should be forked up immediately the plant 

 is discovered. 



Water Pepper {Polygonum Hydropiper). — An evil- 

 smeUing, pungent annual, which grows in ditches and water- 

 courses, and affects the milk of cows if eaten. It should be 

 rooted out and destroyed. 



Yellow Rocket {Barbarea vulgaris). — A yellow-flowered 

 cruciferous plant, which often grows in abundance by ditches 

 and streams, and in early spring throws up large tufts of 

 turnip-like leaves, which, notwithstanding a pungent, nauseous 

 flavour, are freely eaten by cattle, with the result that milk 

 and butter are tainted. Before stock are turned on to the 

 pastures in spring a labourer should be sent round with a hoe 

 to cut the tufts below the crown, and as the plant is of biennial 

 duration only, it can be easily destroyed. Seeding should not 

 be allowed. 



As a rule, the wise and safe course is to collect all injurious 

 plants after they are cut or uprooted, and burn them. 



