210 RURAL CALIFORNIA 



and cheap shelter sufficient. It is, in fact, frequently 

 dispensed with altogether, but that is neither merciful 

 nor profitable, in view of the little it costs to furnish 

 it. 



2. The mild climate gives a long grazing season 

 and the dry summer furnishes dry feed, which is 

 really good nutritious hay, cured as it stands. One 

 who has land enough, including low and high, and 

 pastures each in its best condition for green or dry 

 feed, can carry all except dairy stock and hogs, 

 without growing feeding crops and siloing. How- 

 ever, he alone reaps the full benefit of the climate 

 who provides alfalfa or other clovers., silage, grain 

 and roots, to save his pastures from being gnawed and 

 tramped when too wet and his stock from all set- 

 backs by even short spells of hunger. A certain 

 amount of farming should always be associated with 

 wild pasturing. This is often dispensed , with, but 

 it is not profitable in the highest degree. 



3. The climate not only gives a long growing 

 season to pasturage plants but multiplies the number 

 of species which sustain the pasture. Speaking 

 broadly, California pastures and fields include all 

 the grazing and forage plants which can be grown 

 in Europe from the reclaimed lands of Holland to 

 the Alpine valleys of Switzerland. The hays, 

 unwashed by rains and favored by dry air, have an 

 average of concentrated richness and wholesomeness 

 unknown to cured forage in humid countries (Chap- 

 ter V). 



4. The mild climate, free from set-backs due to 



