8 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



soil mechanically by making it more friable or firm, ac- 

 cording to its texture. It also increases the power of the 

 soil to hold moisture and the nominal elements thus ap- 

 plied improve the chemical condition of the soil while in 

 process of decay. Should the question be asked, why 

 may these results not be accomplished as well by grow- 

 ing hay to be marketed or by burying an occasional green 

 crop, the answer is found in the soil depletion to which 

 the first leads, and in the expense involved in the use of 

 the land while the green crop is being grown. 



Again, the keeping of live stock compels the mainte- 

 nance of pastures on the farm. In this fact is found one of 

 the most beneficial influences. Pasturing land does not al- 

 ways completely hinder soil depletion, but it greatly re- 

 duces it, since the product removed consists mainly of 

 soil fertility used in making meat, milk or wool, as the 

 case may be. The same is true of hay crops grown and 

 fed on the farm. 



Both pasture and hay crops lessen the labor and ex- 

 pense of cultivation in proportion as they are grown, but 

 the saving in both respects is greater by far in pasture 

 crops. The economy of maintaining pastures, and of 

 properly maintaining them, has never been fully appre- 

 ciated in American agriculture. The expense involved 

 in maintaining fences to some extent lessens the economy 

 in maintaining pastures, but in ordinary mixed farming 

 their maintenance is an absolute necessity in order to 

 properly rotate the crops. 



The influence of pastures temporary in character in 

 supplying the land with humus is very great. They fur- 

 nish soil with sod or vegetable matter, which in its slow 

 decay benefits the soil as described above. As a result, 

 the crops which follow the breaking up of the pastures 

 will probably be benefited for several years. Results 

 similar in kind, but frequently less in degree, follow the 

 breaking up of meadows. These usuallv have a less dense 

 sod than pastures 



