Abstract
Since the ancient times, there has been some aridgrassy plains in the world where grazing of livestock developed. In Japan however, there was no such plains due to its geographical position as humid region despite of the introduction of horses around the third century A, D, from the Korea Peninsula, Initially, bog reeds (Phramites communis), a tall native grass from fertill marsh area around the ex-Kawachi Lake was fed to horse. Then,sixteen pastures were put in the province of Shinano, three quarters of which were also swamp of ex-lakes and flood plains and only three pastures were in a dry area situated at the foot of the volcano, Mt. Asama, and dominated by two tall native grasses, eulalia (Miscanthus sinensis) and needle grass (Imperata cylindrica). After then the tall native grass lands had been used for grazing horses. In 1916, a legislation was made to allow grazing in national forests for the purpose of improvement and breeding of military hores. At the same time, a guidance policy was established based on the eveluation that described the tall native grasses from the food of volcanoes as the best fooder.
