FORAGE PLANTS 19 
NATURAL CLASSIFICATION 
14. In order to show the relative position of grasses 
among forage plants, a classification is here given based 
upon botanical relationships. Forage plants may be 
divided into three groups. These are: grasses, legumes, 
miscellaneous plants. The first group includes plants 
belonging to the grass family (Par. 118). 
Fig. 8. Production of wild, salt or prairie grasses in the United States. One 
dot represents 10,000 tons. 
15. Legumes.—The second group includes those 
belonging to the natural family Leguminose or Fabacee. 
The plants of this family are characterized by the fruit, 
which is a legume or pod. To this family belong the 
clovers, alfalfa, vetches, beans, peas, and many similar 
plants. The importance of legumes as forage plants 
depends upon their high protein content, and hence their 
greater nutritive value. Another important character 
of leguminous plants is their ability to transfer nitrogen 
