REVIEW OF THE BOOK 315 



underlie crop cultivation can be well illustrated 

 with a few examples. Since grasses and other 

 forage crops are of such universal use, these 

 have been chosen for illustration. Note that the 

 chapter begins with (1) a general discussion of 

 the importance of grasses; (2) permanent pas- 

 tures; (3) meadows; (4) other forage plants. 



Why is grass said to be the fundamental crop? What is meant 

 by the term "grass" as used in its popular or general -language 

 sense (3046-304e)? What do you understand by the term "rota- 

 tion of crops?" What are the advantages of rotation? How 

 important is grass in such a system? Give one or two examples 

 of good rotation of crops (3056). Explain how the number of 

 grass plants to a square foot may be modified by the uses to which 

 the plants are to be put. 



What is a "pasture?" What is a "permanent pasture" (307a)? 

 How should the land be prepared for the making of a permanent 

 pasture.-' Explain how pastures may be made on different kinds 

 of soil. Explain how a good pasture may be secured on land 

 that has been cropped too continually and failed to produce well 

 under rotation. Why is it necessary to prepare the soil for per- 

 manent pasture very thoroughly? Why does the pasture tend to 

 fail with age? 



Name some of the kinds of grasses that may be employed in 

 the making of a permanent pasture. Why are clovers said to be 

 "host plants" to the grasses (312, 312a)? How may clovers be 

 maintained in pastures? As pastures begin to fail for lack of 

 plant-food, how may they be revived? Explain how important 

 constant watchfulness is to the maintenance of a permanent 

 pasture. What is the necessity of keeping the ground constantly 

 and evenly covered with sward? What can you say about pas- 

 turing too close? About letting the grasses run to seed? What 

 is said about the importance of shade on the surface of the pas- 

 ture lands and how it may be secured? Recapitulate (as in para- 

 graph 317) the essentials in the making and keeping of pastures. 



