LEAF-FODDEK. 533 



small and the grass tall, reaping is less dangerous than plucking ; 

 when the plants are taller, they can be easily seen and are as 

 easily avoided with the sickle as with the hand. On very wet 

 soil and where plants are subject to frost-lifting, for instance, 

 on basalt covered with deep humus, reaping is better than 

 plucking, as the latter dangerously loosens the soil. 



The season for grass-cutting cannot be begun too soon when 

 plants are being choked by the grass. In any case, a com- 

 mencement should be made no later than the blossoming period ; 

 and if, as on very rich soil, it is necessary to repeat the cutting, 

 this should be done during autumn, for the snow will press 

 down the grass over the young plants in winter and thus 

 endanger them. 



Grass-cutting on felling-areas is thus not only permissible 

 with good supervision and goodwill on the part of the workmen, 

 but in most cases is preferable to absolute refusal of permission 

 to cut. The revenue for it is collected either by the issue of 

 cheap grass-permits, giving the holder a right to cut grass on 

 certain designated areas, or by auction-sales of demarcated lots 

 of grassy tracts. This latter plan is suitable in the case of 

 moist coppices and coppice-with-standards along the banks of 

 large rivers, where there is usually a dense growth of grass. 



Section III. — Leaf-Fodder. 



The foliage and young shoots of woody plants may be used in 

 a similar way to herbage for cattle-fodder. The value of leaf- 

 fodder, however, varies with the season of the year : as long as 

 the foliage is incompletely developed its value as fodder is 

 highest ; it continually depreciates after the foliage is fully 

 grown, and is lowest just before leaf-fall. The species of trees 

 which are most exposed to damage by the browsing of cattle, 

 furnish the best fodder ; after the Canadian poplar, which is best 

 of all, are ash, poplar, willow (especially S. alba, caprea, vitel- 

 lina, and pentaiidra), lime, sycamore and other maples, oaks, 

 and (as long as their foliage is young), beech and elms. 

 Among conifers, yew and silver-fir are favourites [the former may 

 be injurious. — Tr.] ; even the spruce may be used, last of all the 

 larch. The kind of beast must also be considered, for goats and 



