The tender leaves in spring, used in compound salads, are equal to those of Endive or Succory. The fusiform roots are eaten raw as salad by the French, and boiled by the Germans like salsify or scorzonera. Dried and ground into powder, they afford a substitute for coffee, in all respects equal to that of chiccory root. As a Weed, it is difficult to extirpate, because every inch of root, according to Loudon, will form buds and fibres, and thus constitute a new plant; besides, myriads of seeds are annually wafted over the country by means of the pappus, making the plant more abundant than welcome to the farmer. As Fodder, swine are fond of it, and goats will eat it, but sheep and cows dislike it, and by horses it is refused. By way of conclusion we will notice it as the Rustic Oracle, as it is called in the " language of flowers." After blossoming, the inner involucre closes, the slender beak of the seeds elongates and raises up the pappus while the fruit is forming, the whole involucre becomes refloxed, displaying the pappus in a globular head around the central disk, forming what are termed " puff-balls." Who is there that has not delighted in youth to scatter these feathered seeds, by a puff of the breath, to see them carried off like miniature parachutes, and sailing over the greensward or meadow, thus wantonly perhaps aiding their distribution? A custom prevailed among rustic swains, when separated from the object of their love, to carefuly pluck one of those feathered spheres, charge each of the little feathers composing it with a tender thought, turn towards the abode of the loved one, blow, and the little atrial travellers were bidden , faithfully to convey the secret message to his or her feet.

Did they desire [to know whether the dear one thought of them, they would blow again, and if a single egret remained, it was a proof they were not forgotten. Bat enough of this. I will only add that the Dandelion attracted very early attention. Friend Howitt speaks of it as Dandelion, with globe of down, The schoolboy's clock in every town, Which the truant puffs amain, To conjure lost hours back again.