FOREST SERVICE. 253 



able. Progress was made in determining where such reseeding can 

 be done profitably and the proper season for it under certain con- 

 ditions. Investigations in seeding and planting native species at the 

 Great Basin and Fort Valley Experiment Stations have shown that 

 good results can be obtained with hardy species grown under con- 

 ditions similar to those on the area to be seeded. 



The importance and value of the experiments in the natural re- 

 seeding and management of range were never more clearly demon- 

 strated than in 1919. At the Jornada Range Reserve 1918 was 

 the last of three years of drouth accompanied by progressive range 

 deterioration. On many adjoining ranges, where excessive grazing 

 continued, there was almost an extinction of forage plants. Within 

 the reserve the vegetation, though depleted in density, was so 

 vigorous as a result of the management practiced that the favorable 

 climatic conditions in t919 produced practically a normal crop of 

 forage. 



The management plan applied within the reserve brought the 

 breeding herd through the drought with extremely light losses and 

 good calf crops, as against heavy losses and low calf crops on outside 

 ranges, and demonstrated that the raising of high-grade cattle on 

 such lands can be made a stable industry instead of one subject to 

 heavy periodic losses. This is of utmost importance to the live-stock 

 industry of the Southwest. 



Investigations at the Great Basin Experiment Station indicate the 

 possibility of determining changes in the improvement or deteriora- 

 tion of ranges through comparatively slight changes in the plant 

 composition. If this relationship holds true generally, it will afford 

 a means of detecting damage at an early stage, when counter- 

 measures will not materially affect the use of the range. The studies 

 along this line will be continued and extended to other regions. 



The study of the distribution, forage value, and life history of the 

 plants which make up the forage crop on the National Forest ranges 

 was continued. Several new species were collected and identified. 

 In all about 39,500 specimens, representing about 5,200 species and 

 varieties, have been collected and observed to determine their im- 

 portance as forage components. Economic notes are now available 

 for about 2,800 species of National Forest range plants. Nearly 4,000 

 specimens were added to the range plant herbarium in the Washing- 

 ton office. 



The study of grazing on alpine lands subject to erosion and floods 

 emphasized the necessity for care to avoid overgrazing such lands 

 and for prompt adjustment of grazing, if erosion has set in, so that 

 revegetation will take place. 



Continued attention was given to improved methods of salting cat- 

 tle to secure better distril)ution of stock and consequently better 

 utilization of the range. By the construction of 6G salt troughs and 

 the application of a jjroperly arranged salting plan one cattle allot- 

 ment on the Minam Forest, Oreg., now grazes approximately 2,200 

 head of cattle and horses as compared with 1.574 head in 1913. A 

 cattle range on the Okanogan Forest, Wash., was increased in 

 grazing capacity from 800 head in 1914 to 1,300 head in 1917 by the 

 construction of 36 salt troughs, the development of a few springs, and 

 building a few short drift fences; and the condition of both stock and 



