EROSION. 45 



Two general processes arc in vogue for counteracting the effect of 

 the sinking of the water channels. The first consists in planting sonic 

 soil-binding grass in such situations for the i)urposo of j)reventing 

 further dithculty. This is usually a remedial measure which does not 

 get at the root of the matter and is capable of Init limited application 

 after the destruction is well under way. It can l)e applied in this 

 region ill situations which receive flood waters from higher localities. 

 The soils whei-e it is attempted must already be reasonably stable in 

 order to allow the grass to get a foothold. ]\li'. Harry L. Heffner, 

 manager of the Emiiire Cattle Company, has experimented a great 

 deal in this matter. The plan which he has adopted has been to estal)- 

 lish plantations of Johnson grass upon the lands near the ends of the 

 dee}), narrow gorges and washes which ajiproach the I'autano Wash, 

 between the Santa Kita and Whetstone mountains. In these situations 

 consideral)le areas of comparatively level lands are flooded one to three 

 times during the year. AVere three ii-rigations certain each year, the 

 estal)lishment of Johnson grass on such areas would be a comparatively 

 eas}^ matter. Indeed, two thorough floodings, together with the light 

 showers that normally occur, would insure the establishment of this 

 grass. It has been found that the most successful method of establish- 

 ing a wash -resistant covering of this grass in such situations is bj^ 

 planting cuttings. Sections of the underground stems, from 8 to 12 

 inches in length, are inserted in the ground in rows across the wash, 

 about 3 feet apart. In planting, a spade or bar is used to prepare the 

 opening in the soil, and simply the pressure of the foot completes the 

 operation when the cutting has been inserted. This operation is not so 

 slow and tedious as would seem. The cuttings are easily dug or plowed 

 up from fields which are in reasonably good tilth, and the planting is 

 accomplished verv expeditiously. Bernnida grass has also been tried 

 in the more moist situations, but with very indifferent success thus 

 far. This grass requires more moisture than it is possible to secure 

 for it here, except w here irrigation is practiced. 



The second method in vogue to check and repair the damage done 

 by flood waters is by the erection of embankments across the cuts, the 

 object in all cases being to turn the water from its course on to higher 

 lands and compel it to spread out over them instead of following the 

 regular channel. Brush, stone, and earth are used in the formation 

 of these embankments, which must be strong enough to withstand a 

 great pressure until the course of the waters is once turned. When 

 once the flow has been checked the filling up and leveling ofl' of the 

 gullies for some distance above the dams is quickly accomplished b}^ 

 the waters, which contain large volumes of sediment. The filling up 

 process below the dam is a slow. one, but the turning of the water 

 from its course prevents further erosive action. Several small works 

 of this nature have been observed in the valleys of the Little Colorado 



