Nature has provided grasses as the plants best adapted to the vast range area. 
continue to be the principal crop grown on Western 
rangeland. 
It is perhaps not strange that grass should some- 
times be thought of as able to take care of itself 
under all conditions. It renews itself year after 
year; it is a crop that endures the fluctuations of 
weather from droughts to floods; and it survives 
misuse by animals as well as insects, rodents, and 
other pests. Grass is a hardy plant and is able to 
endure an extremely wide variation of conditions 
and hardships. 
Grass Has Definite Needs for Growth 
and Production 
Although it is hardy, grass is a living thing and, 
like animals, must have food, air, water, and light 
to live and develop. It must have certain things 
for growth and a plant body large enough to make 
- leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. It takes a thrifty 
plant and an abundant supply of plant materials 
to make a good forage crop. 
The grass plant has roots in the soil that take in 
water and minerals and green tops that take in air 
and light. From the: water, minerals, and carbon 
dioxide in the air the gréen leaves manufacture 
the plant food and plant tissues from which it 
makes new plant growth in stems, leaves, roots, and 
seeds. Without sunlight, the plant would not be 
able to manufacture food in the leaves. Without 
leaves, the roots are helpless because they would not 
be able to manufacture plant food. They can send 
up green leaves so long as they have stored plant- 
4 
food material but they cannot make the plant food 
for new growth. 
Finally, the grass plant must have the oppor- 
tunity to grow and develop when the soil, moisture, 
heat, and light are present in the right combinations 
for growth. 
Grass Is the Background for Good 
Livestock 
The rancher thinks of himself principally as a 
producer of livestock. The average rancher has 
well-bred herds and some fine animals in which he 
takes a great deal of pride. He is also interested 
in and concerned with his rangeland and the plants 
that grow on it. The rancher does not need to be 
In much of the world, grass is seeded as a cultivated 
crop. 
eat 
—— 
ad 
