Florida Agricultural Experiment Station


spring grazing after the areas have been burned over. The
young succulent grass produced after burning remains nutritious
and succulent for 90 to 120 days. As the wiregrass grows older
it becomes woody and decreases in mineral and protein content,
Table 1.

 ...1


 FIG. 1.-NATIVE WIREGRASS PASTURE.
 Wiregrass furnishes good feed during early season. The carrying
 capacity is low.

 Cattle make slow growth or gains when the grass is in a ma-
ture condition. Thus burning is desirable because it stimulates
new and tender growth. I Any reference to the effects of burning
of grasses for grazing are not to be construed as recommending
the burning-over of woods or timber lands. The production of
trees for lumber or other purposes requires protection from un-
controlled or promiscuous burning and the State Forester at
Tallahassee should be consulted on management and protection
of forest areas.
-The native vegetation on the high sandy soils consists of
species similar to those on the flat pine lands. However, growth
is not as vigorous and grass stands are sparse, due to the
drought nature of the soil. Natal grass (Tricholaena rosea