B. P. I. — 19. G. F. P. I.— 100 



FORAGE CONDITIONS AND PROBLEMS IN EASTERN 

 WASHINGTON, EASTERN OREGON. NORTHEAST- 

 ERN CALIFORNIA, AND NORTHWESTERN NEVADA. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This report, based upon field work done in 1902, is in large part sup- 

 plementary to that of 1901. The investigations of this year have been 

 confined to the same general drainage regions, but the amount of travel 

 performed and the consequent opportunity for study have been much 

 more extensive. All the work covered in this report, as well as in that 

 of last year." was done in two of the great inland regions, namely, the 

 drainasre area of the Columbia River and that of the Great Basin. 

 Last year's report covered but little of the former area, being confined 

 mainly to that portion of the Great Basin region lying between Win- 

 nemucca, Nev., and the Blue Mountains of Oregon in the vicinity 

 of the upper portion of the Silvies River, while this report deals with 

 the Columbia drainage area and that portion of the Great Basin lying 

 to the westward of the region discussed in the report of last year. 

 The only place where the same area was covered both seasons is in the 

 vicinity of Burns, Oregon. This duplication of region traversed was 

 occasioned by the necessity of obtaining supplies and the desire of 

 visiting again certain portions of Harney Valley which it was impos- 

 sible to examine last year. Here, in the vicinity of the Dunder and 

 Blitzen River, on the west side of Steins Mountains, many substantial 

 and extensive improvements are being made, especially by the French- 

 Glenn Live Stock Company, in the handling of the native ranges, as 

 well as in the reclamation of the extensive swamp lands, producing 

 at the present time nothing but tules. but which are being converted 

 into hay and pasture lands. 



Our traveling outfit consisted of a team, light spring wagon, and an 

 ordinary camping outfit. On the entire trip, wherever possible, we 

 endeavored to drive about 30 miles per day and to accomplish this in 

 the morning, taking the afternoon to make collections, for studies, 

 and for other work, while our horses, which were obliged to pick 



« Bulletin No. 15, Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, 1902. 



9 



