CARE OF PASTURES. 265 



They remained in the same pasture till October 1, when they 

 were turned into a meadow. The following gains (in pounds) 

 were made for the season: May, 332; June, 260; July, 160; 

 August, 172; September, 78; October, 230; November, 122; 

 total gain, 1,354 pounds. Each animal gained — taking the 

 average — 338| pounds from May 1 till December 1. From 

 August 15 till October 1 they received a daily ration of wheat 

 bran and oats — four quarts per head. 



''Three of these heifers were summer calves of the year pre- 

 vious, making them short yearlings. The majority of our 

 common cultivated grasses grow most rapidly when the soil is 

 quite moist and the temperature is between 70° and BO*-^. Our 

 black, prairie soil, when exposed, frequently reaches a temperature 

 of 115° at the surface. Under such conditions evaporation goes 

 on with great rapidity and the soil becomes dry to a considerable 

 dej^th. Ten inches of dense grass afford sufficient protection to 

 the surface of the soil to keep the temperature about that of the 

 atmosphere in the daytime and considerably warmer than the 

 atmosphere at night, thus preventing such sudden and wide 

 extremes of temperature that the plants fail to adjust themselves. 

 While it does not destroy them, it retards or prevents growth. 



" Close grazing may do in a cool, moist climate with some 

 stock, but upon our western prairies it is a mistake. Where 

 there is an abundance of grass the cattle take regular meals, and 

 lie down to digest ; upon short range they are constantly traveling 

 and picking, which does not afford the best conditions for vigor, 

 growth, or the production of beef or milk. In the fall a good 

 coat of grass protects the roots from frost, and growth continues 

 till quite late in the season, even after the open ground is frozen 

 two inches or more. This is the secret of our so-called winter 

 grazing." 



Concerning the management of grass lands. Baron J. B. Lawes 

 finds it very important not to feed young grass the first year. 

 34 



