FARM FAR I 1 11 to lipics PIC S I 1 WILDLIFE AIDS IN CHECKING EROSION animals devour or trample scanty pasturage sp supplied plied by the united states department ot of A agriculture service ervice one great difference between domestic and wild birds and animals is the effect they have on the land particularly on soil erosion it is common for farmers to pasture fields already injured by erosion gullied land too rough for machine tillage or patches where running water has taken most of the topsoil on such land pasturage is likely to be scanty if cattle sheep or hogs are turned in they usually devour or trample such vegetation as may be left says dr ira N gabal elson of the bureau of biological survey this increases the erosion damage wildlife in contrast lives in and with the natural vegetation that develops in these rough areas not suitable for cropping rarely do creatures of the wild contribute to erosion rather they allow vegetation to develop and hold the soil farmers can help too says doctor gabrielson by seeding or planting quick growing plants and trees that are soil binders and also provide cover and food for game catering slightly to the feeding and nesting habits of the game will attract birds and animals and increase the game crop which sportsmen will be glad to harvest and pay for the privilege domestic animals are likely to further destroy land that has been injured by cultivation the same land devoted to wildlife will be preserved and even improved this contrast often points out the difference between good management and poor management of the rougher and less fertile parts of a farm