First, sheep and cattle were allowed to overgraze the grasses and broad-leafed plants that used to carry low-intensity ground fires through the understory, consuming litter .
Ever since the Japanese introduced the kudzu vine to America at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, the broad-leafed creeper has been a much maligned nuisance.
Australian and American artillery set the broad-leafed jungles aquiver last week as they roared an unexpected challenge to the Japs in Salamaua.