}l]0 FOKEST-FODDKR. 



Section II. — Grass-Cutting. 



AVhilst forest pasture is steadily dimiuisliing owiug to the 

 increase in the stall-feeding of cattle, grass-cutting is gaining 

 ground in like measure. This is especially the case in places 

 where agriculture is most profitable. The small farmer (and 

 even the peasant living close to forests) is gradually learning 

 the advantage of feeding beasts in stalls ; consequently, the 

 supply of manure and the demands for forest grass are con- 

 stantly increasing, for the increase in fodder-crops and meadows 

 does not keep pace with the increased number of beasts fed in 

 stalls. 



If the full value of the grass cut in Germany from forests 

 could be given, its immense national-economic value would be 

 thoroughly appreciated; it would be seen that a very considerable 

 number of cattle obtain their summer fodder almost entirely 

 from forests, and that the maintenance of the poor man's cow or 

 goat is often only thus rendered possible. From the Hardtwald 

 near Miihlhausen in Alsace, for instance, the annual crop of 

 forest grass is estimated as at least 2,500 tons. There are also 

 forest ranges in Prussia, which obtain annual revenues of 750/. 

 to 900/. from grass ; in the forest range of Berghausen, in 

 Baden, the average revenue from grass during 5 years has been 

 760/. (Gs. an acre). Any forest range situated in a populous 

 district and where the soil is moist, especially if treated as 

 coppice, or coppice-with-standards, can yield even larger returns. 

 In the dry year 1893, no less than (35,000 tons of grass were 

 obtained in a regular manner from the Bavarian forests. About 

 as much was probably taken from them fraudulently. The 

 advantages the forest gains from grass-cutting are similar to 

 those already described under pasture. Plantations and natural 

 regeneration-areas are saved from being choked by the grass, 

 and from deprivation of light and dew ; whilst damage by mice 

 is greatly reduced, and finally, a considerable revenue is fre- 

 quently obtained. 



It should not, however, Ijc forgotten that by the removal of so 

 much organic substance from the forest, the productive power 

 of the soil is impaired ; for grasses often contain large quantities 

 of ash, especially at seasons wlun they blossom and their seed 



