GRASS FORAGE 1l 
depended on. Therefore, such kinds as have the 
requisite hardiness, although they possess unfavor- 
able characteristics (as, for example, Bromus in- 
ermis), have been found to be most useful in these 
regions, 
PASTURES AND MEADOWS 
One other line of practice of very great impor- 
tance is the proper management and maintenance 
of grasses in meadows and pastures. Pastures will 
continue to be the main source of summer forage 
for far the greater number of farmers for a long 
time to come, although it is the exception, rather 
than the rule, that permanent pastures are regarded 
as equally important with other field crops. It does 
not seem to occur to the farmer that pastures, as 
well as other crops, must have food in order to 
furnish profitable results. As a rule, pastures are 
allowed to take care of themselves, and they be- 
come infested with weeds, brambles and unpala- 
table grasses, when by a little care the weeds may 
be kept out and sweet grasses maintained, and the 
yield largely increased. The necessity for growing 
many of the crops here discussed would in many 
eases be reduced if more attention were given to 
pastures; and the cost to the farmer would be rela- 
tively much less than is generally supposed. The 
expense of the labor involved in pastures is a com- 
paratively small item. They require, mainly, that 
