PERMANENT PASTURES. 395 



and 200 bushels when leeched. Nitrogen is sometimes 

 applied every year, since its effects are not abiding, 

 but phosphoric acid and potash, being of slower action 

 are not usually applied every year. Attention is called' 

 to the importance of noting carefully the percentage of 

 plant food, as given by reliable analysis in the various 

 fertilizers purchased; this, of course, has an important 

 bearing on their value. 



Transforming Brush Lands. On many parts of the 

 continent are what are termed "brush lands." These 

 are covered more or less with bushes such as witch 

 hazel and willow to the extent of preventing the growth 

 of grasses. These areas are more frequent on the bor- 

 ders of prairie land and on some kinds of prairie. In 

 other instances, the forest has been cut away and a 

 dense growth of underwood in the brush stage, or a 

 little larger than brush, is taking possession of the 

 land. In yet other instances, fire has but recently 

 passed through the forest, killing the standing timber 

 and consuming much of the debris which covers the 

 earth; and a thicket of young trees is again covering 

 the ground. The largest areas of these lands are found 

 in the northern states, and the question of transform- 

 ing them into pastures, without clearing the land en- 

 tirely by hand labor, is one of considerable importance. 

 The method of doing this work would be, in outline, as 

 follows : 



Introduce goats to browse upon the brush; the An- 

 gora variety or their grades are to be preferred because 

 of the relative value of the mohair. The goats will do 

 their work more quickly and more effectively, if con- 

 Grasses 26. 



