48 HANDBOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



Why are Goldenrods, Shoestrings, and even some grasses, 

 allowed to flower and seed in pastures ? Are our cultivated 

 grasses annuals or perennials ? What are Pigeon grass, and 

 Millet? 



The fact that most grasses are perennials, and that they 

 grow so close together in large numbers, fits them peculiarly 

 well to be the forage plants for millions of cattle, horses, 

 and sheep. Our noble, wild, herbivorous animals, the deer 

 and elk, feed largely on grasses ; while the immense herds of 

 buffaloes which not long ago roamed over the Western 

 plains lived almost exclusively on grasses. 



Our bread comes directly from the seeds of grasses ; but indi- 

 rectly even our butter, milk, cheese, meat, clothes, and shoes are 

 derived from the grasses; for grasses are the principal food of 

 the animals from which we get milk, meat, wool, and skiiis. 



Millions of bushels of barley, rice, and corn are used every 

 year in brewing beer, which is considered by many people 

 an innocent and pleasant beverage, like coffee or tea ; but 

 the intemperate use of it cannot be too strongly condemned. 

 Many million dollars' worth of rye and corn are used by dis- 

 tilleries in the manufacture of alcohol. Much of this is used 

 in different arts, by scientists, and in medicine ; but a large 

 part of it is made into whiskey and brandy. These alcoholic 

 liquors, taken habitually, are no doubt positively injurious, 

 and they represent an enormous amount of grain, money, 

 and labor thrown away. 



Grasses in the economy of nature. In the temperate zones 

 grasses are the plants which give character to the land- 

 scape. They cover the prairies, meadows, and pastures like 

 endless green carpets. By their many roots, they hold the 

 soil together and prevent it from being washed or blown 

 away. Besides feeding the animals already mentioned, they 



Observations. Observe weeds along roads, in fields, and gardens. 



