Grassland in Britain

Abstract

Grassland, like any other kind of vegetation, represents a balance between the requirements of certain plants on the one hand, and the conditions of the environment on the other. It is a result of Nature's demand and supply. An examination of the environmental conditions which determine the existence of grassland is therefore necessary if we wish to make it and maintain it, or to improve its production. Experimental work has demonstrated that grassland is capable of being improved as to grazing qualities, but the results so obtained can hardly yet be said to be capable of being safely applied to areas beyond those actually experimented upon. Few can say with confidence that such and such a treatment will succeed here, and another treatment there. In other words, we have no basis for classifying or valuing grasslands. Assuming that our present outlook is too narrow, too economic, it may be that by taking a broader, if more philosophical view, some progress may be made.