FOREST PASTURE. 47 



remove the grass before it has become dried-up, and preserve 

 it as hay or ensilage for use during the dry season. This 

 plan has had great success in Ajmir, in India. 



In the Alps, forest pasture lasts only for ten or twelve weeks, 

 and sheep-grazing on the high forest pastures of the Himalayas 

 is of a similar nature, these pastures not being burned. The 

 winter pastures in the N.-W. Himalayas, in forests of Pinus 

 .longifolia, Roxb., are generally burned, both in order to destroy 

 the dead needles, and to produce a fresh crop of grass. Forests 

 so treated must eventually disappear, but the magnificent re- 

 production of Pinus excelsa, Wall., in the middle altitudes of the 

 Himalayas between 6,000 and 8,000 feet, since fire protection 

 has been introduced into the forests, is most remarkable. 



In wet weather, forest grazing must be stopped, or carried 

 on in old woods only. The usual daily grazing should com- 

 mence only after the sun has dried the dew, and night-grazing 

 is not generally allowable. If cattle are to be driven through 

 young growth, this should be in the afternoon, after they have 

 already had a good meal. 



d. Species of Grazing Animals. 



Goats, horses, and camels must not be allowed to browse in 

 valuable forests ; their fodder should be cut and brought 

 to them. The French laws exclude sheep as well as goats 

 from all forests managed by the State Forest Department, 

 but sheep may be admitted to graze in forests in certain 

 localities under special sanction. Elephants may be admitted 

 into forests with their keeper, and their fodder cut and brought 

 in by them. A list of climbers and inferior forest trees and 

 shrubs suitable for the fodder of goats, camels, elephants and 

 buffaloes should be drawn up and circulated amongst all 

 keepers of these animals who obtain fodder from a forest, 

 and the fodder, as far as it consists of woody plants, should 

 be restricted to these species. 



As regards other grazing animals, the number to be admitted 

 into forests must be carefully controlled. This number will 

 be determined by considering the amount of their require- 

 ments and the available quantity and quality of the herbage 



