FOREST PASTURE. 45 



In this table the minima are for good localities, and for 

 species not much endangered by grazing, and the maxima for 

 inferior localities, and for species preferred by the animals. 



When the animals are simply driven through a forest, 

 much younger woods can be opened, but in such cases the 

 gradient of the slopes and the consistency of the soil should 

 be considered. Thus, in the Harz, 3-to-5-years-old plantations 

 of spruce with appetising grass are opened to cattle and 

 suffer less than older woods, where the grass is hard and 

 unnutritious. 



b. Lorafion of Grazing Areas, 



Every year a new tabular form showing the areas opened 

 to grazing should be drawn up and publicly advertised amongst 

 the grazing villages that use the forest. In preparing such a 

 form, the open compartments should be arranged so as to 

 make it possible for the animals to pass through old woods 

 from one grazing ground to the next, or drift-roads should be 

 laid-ou^ between them wherever young woods intervene, and 

 sufficient time allowed for the grass to grow in a grazed area 

 before its turn for opening recurs. Marshy places, loose soil 

 and steep slopes are to be excluded. Localities with under- 

 growth that is valued for regeneration must not be opened to 

 sheep. Where trampling is to be dreaded, horned cattle must 

 also be excluded. Attention to the requirements of the animals 

 when drawing up the plan of grazing will also tend to restrict 

 damage. 



The closed areas must be marked on the ground with notice 

 boards, or protected witli fences or ditches, the hitter to be 

 3 feet wide and 1^ feet deep, with the earth thrown up on the 

 side of the closed area. 



If drift-roads are required from one part of the forest to 

 another, they should be from 15 to 24 feet wide, according to 

 the number and species of grazing animals. Wherever these 

 roads pass through very young growth, ditches, earth or stone 

 walls, or dry thorn hedges, should be placed on either side. 

 The earth from the ditches should be thrown up towards the 

 closed area to assist in keeping out the cattle. 



Wherever such protective works are not made along a drift 



