FIELD WORK OF THE DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY: A REVIEW 



AND SUMMARY OF THE WORK DONE SINCE THE 



ORGANIZATION OF THE DIVISION, 



JULY 1, 1895. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The Division of Agrostology was established by Congress in 1895 

 for the purpose of investigating the various problems relating to the 

 grasses and forage plants of the United States. Progressive farmers, 

 stockmen, and dair3^men had for some time recognized that there was 

 urgent need of a thorough study of the various forage problems which 

 were presenting themselves in different parts of the country. Conse- 

 quently the then Secretary of Agriculture, Hon. J. Sterling Morton, 

 recommended to Congress that a separate Division be established to 

 take charge of and prosecute the work. The rapidly deteriorating con- 

 dition of the native meadows and ranges of the great West naturally 

 led the stockmen to inquire into the reasons for these conditions, and to 

 try to ascertain what steps might ])e taken to improve them. The very 

 rapid development of the stock-growing industry in the W^est, which 

 immediately followed the Imilding of the transcontinental railroads, 

 brought about increasing competition for the use of the grazing lands, 

 and under the mistaken impression that the abundant forage at first 

 found was practically inexhaustible, together with the effort on the 

 part of each to secure as much advantage as possible from the ''free 

 grass," great injury naturally resulted to the grazing lands. 



The stock-growing industry is one of great importance and one that 

 should be carefully fostered. The vast areas of land throughout the 

 Western States and Territories, which are at present unavailal)le for 

 general agricultural purposes, and the greater part of which prolxibly 

 never ^vill be availal)lc for such use on account of the insufficient 

 water supply, should be properly controlled so as to conserve their 

 usefulness. 



Of the unoccupied pul)lic lands about 365,400,000 acres are regarded 

 at present as fit only for grazing purposes. There are, in addition, 

 124,300,000 acres of forest land, the greater portion of which is also 

 used for grazing. The various evils arising from overstocking and 



9 



