232 ELEMENTS OF GENERAL SCIENCE 



lands in the West which can scarcely be used for anything 

 but grazing, except when irrigation is practicable. 



In order to preserve these benefits for the people, and to 

 protect important natural features, and to supply places of 

 recreation and pleasure, the national government and the states 

 have set aside certain areas as forest reserves, parks, and game 

 preserves. 



248. Cultivated plants. Where the natural plants have been 

 removed, it has usually been done in order to substitute for 

 them our cultivated plants, for these supply products which 



FIG. 115. Grazing country 



In some regions stock raising is almost the only industry. The land may be more 



valuable for this purpose than for any other, especially where it is hilly or stony. 



Photograph by United States Department of Agriculture 



we need for food, clothing, and other uses. There is no in- 

 dustry in all the world so important as farming. Its products 

 are of more value than the products of any other industry, and 

 all industries depend upon it for their prosperity. Where 

 agriculture thrives it makes a need for transportation facili- 

 ties ; on the other hand, many fertile regions have had their 

 production stimulated through the introduction of railways, 

 since without these railways farm products find only a local 

 market. In similar ways the other industries of the entire 

 country are related to agriculture. See the accompanying 

 table for comparison of agriculture and other industries. 



