114 The Elements' Influence on Pasture Growth. 



ficient air supply ; the feed therefore becomes defective 

 in the sustaining or fattening properties which whole- 

 some sun and air give. 



It is not often that nature is disposed to lavish all 

 the incidence of favourable elements upon the farmer, 

 and the farmer has, therefore, to engage upon a contest 

 with nature to take the most from it, as opportunity 

 presents itself, to serve his own purposes. If he did not 

 he would find himself, and all civilisation depending 

 upon his efforts for their food, on a low plane in the 

 plan of creation. He therefore sets about growing crops 

 and conserving them for use at the time that nature, 

 by cold and by lack of rains and sun, acts 

 niggardly towards his pastures. In the struggle for life 

 the common plants and animals exhibit great intelli- 

 gence, if it may be so-called, and ingenuity, but man 

 places himself on a higher plane, and to remain there he 

 must exhibit industry and ingenuity. The basic prin- 

 ciple of the successful growth of stock is even, sus- 

 tained thrift; but in pastoral New Zealand and Aus- 

 tralia it is noted that there are many more interruptions 

 to this than in any of the icy- winter countries of Europe, 

 where, at any rate, proper and complete provision, at 

 great expense and labour, is made to carry stock over 

 the bad times of the year. Stock starve or die through 

 improper provision or forethought for their require- 

 ments, and the grazier who permits it cannot, if he re- 

 flects, take credit for great superiority of method in 

 his farming operations. He should accept the chances 

 freely and lavishly offered to him by nature in a climate 

 like New Zealand, and grow and feed, or conserve for 

 use in times of need, the many fodders and roots at com- 

 mand. By doing this he becomes a sheep farmer, not 

 merely a sheep grazier. 



