240 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



will be observed that all these influences, save that of 

 the weather, may be modified b}' the owner of the pas- 

 tures whenever they form a feature of the rotation. It 

 is different in rugged lands where nature unaided has 

 produced the pastures. 



The plants grown to provide pasture for cows are 

 very many. They include virtually all the grasses, 

 whether cultivated or growing without the aid of man, 

 and all the clovers. In addition to these pastures, in 

 certain areas supplemental pastures are furnished that 

 are of temporary- growth. They are grown, as it were, 

 after the manner of catch crops and to furnish grazing 

 when it is not sufficiently present from other sources. 

 These crops include the small cereals sown alone or in 

 admixture, and such legumes as cowpeas. soy beans, and 

 vetches. In many instances, they are grown on land 

 that would not otherwise be producing. 



The best pastures, viewed from the standpoint of 

 production, are those grown on lands that may be 

 irrigated during the season of growth. These include 

 pastures composed of clover or alfalfa and are found 

 in greatest perfection in the western mountain valleys. 

 But when alfalfa is thus grazed and also clover, but to a 

 considerably less extent, it is necessary to sow along 

 with these some grass plant, such as Russian brome or 

 timothy, to eliminate the element of hazard from bloat- 

 ing. The amount of grazing that may be obtained from 

 these is relatively exceedingly large. They also include 

 pastures composed of a variety of grasses and are more 

 or less permanent in character. They are usually made 

 on moist lands, and the variety in the plants gives con- 

 tinuity in growth during the season. Permanent pas- 

 tures are discussed at length in the book, " Grasses, and 

 How to Grow Them," by the author. Bluegrass fur- 

 nishes excellent grazing for cows early and late in tlie 

 season, but it ceases to grow in summer. Russian brome 



