GBASS FORAGE 11 



depended on. Therefore, such kinds as have the 

 requisite hardiness, although they possess unfavor- 

 able characteristics (as, for example, Bromus in- 

 ermis) , have been found to be most useful in these 

 regions. 



PASTURES AND MEADOWS 



One other line of practice of very great impor- 

 tance is the proper management and maintenance 

 of grasses in meadows and pastures. Pastures will 

 continue to be the main source of summer forage 

 for far the greater number of farmers for a long 

 time to come, although it is the exception, rather 

 than the rule, that permanent pastures are regarded 

 as equally important with other field crops. It does 

 not seem to occur to the farmer that pastures, as 

 well as other crops, must have food in order to 

 furnish profitable results. As a rule, pastures are 

 allowed to take care of themselves, and they be- 

 come infested with weeds, brambles and unpala- 

 table grasses, when by a little care the weeds may 

 be kept out and sweet grasses maintained, and the 

 yield largely increased. The necessity for growing 

 many of the crops here discussed would in many 

 cases be reduced if more attention were given to 

 pastures ; and the cost to the farmer would be rela- 

 tively much less than is generally supposed. The 

 expense of the labor involved in pastures is a com- 

 paratively small item. They require, mainly, that 



