54 



NATURAL HISTORY OP THE FARM 



stems of the grass asunder. If broken, take up the pieces and 

 observe that each is provided with its own roots. Thus, a 

 moderate amount of trampling only serves to push the grasses 

 into new territory. Think how disastrous in comparison 

 would be the descent of this bovine's hoofs upon the balsams 



and cabbages of the garden. 



So, the chief perils to plants 

 in the pasture are of three sorts. 

 The danger of death from being 

 eaten, from being pulled up and 

 from being trampled. To be sure, 

 both browsing and trampling may 

 easily be overdone, and the hardi- 

 est of plants may be exterminated. 

 This occurs in the places where 

 the herds habitually stand in the 

 shade of trees. Furthermore, 

 mere hardiness will not qualify a 

 plant to be a good member of 

 the pasture society. The first 

 requisite of all is that it shall be 

 palatable and nutritious. The 

 little wire rush (Fig. 30) is among 

 the hardiest of pasture plants, 

 growing habitually in the very 

 edges of the path, but it is 

 well nigh worthless as forage. 



The most valuable plants for 

 permanent pastures are all grasses. 

 Indeed, the very best of them are native grasses that exist 

 today just as they came to us from the hand of nature. 

 The only selection that has been practiced on them is the 

 natural selection that through long ages has eliminated such 

 sorts as are not equipped to meet the requirements set. 



Fig. 30. The wire rush 

 {J uncus tenuis). 



