54 NATURAL HISTORY OF 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. 
| Fic. 30. The wire rush The most valuable plants for | 
permanent pastures are all grasses. | 
(Juncus tenuis). 
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. 
