12 FIELD WORK OF DIVISION OF AGROSTOLOGY. 



for forage purposes. It was quite essential that accurate knowledge 

 should be secured in regard to these matters and that field investiga- 

 tions should be undertaken with this particular end in view. Conflict- 

 ing accounts had been received from stockmen and ranchmen with 

 regard to the different grasses, their value, abundance, and distribu- 

 tion. Unfortunately reports from such sources can not alwaj^s be 

 relied upon, as the parties making them have rarel}- had sufficient 

 training in accurate observation and comparison of plants to arrive at 

 correct conclusions. The grasses are so numerous and the character- 

 istics distinguishing the species are in many cases so inconspicuous 

 that only the trained agrostologist can distinguish them. Another 

 liability to confusion results from lack of uniformity in the application 

 of the common names of grasses. 



Another question of great importance was the actual condition of 

 the pasture and range lands and the causes which have led to their 

 present condition. The conditions vary greatly in different places, so 

 that only by actual inspection of the greater portion of the range lands 

 could a just estimate be made. The fact that, as a general thing, the 

 ranges were becoming impaired was generally admitted, })ut to just 

 what extent, and as a result of what causes, it was very important 

 to accuratel}^ ascertain. Some were disposed to account for it largel}^ 

 on the supposition that there was less annual precipitation than for- 

 merl3\ The validity of this statement was easily determined, however, 

 by reference to the Weather Bureau records, which, though in some 

 cases not extending over a sufficient number of 3^ears to determine the 

 question with absolute certaint^^, yet were sufficient to indicat(> that 

 there was not enough, if any, decrease in the average rainfall to account 

 for the great deterioration of the range lands. The effectiveness of 

 the rainfall, however, is much less at present than formerly, but this is 

 the result of the present condition of the ranges rath(n- than its cause, 

 and involves the (piestion of the effect of overgrazing upon the con- 

 servation of the water supply and upon erosion — questions of great 

 importance, which demand careful and thorough investigation. 

 Whereas overgrazing was generally admitted to be the fundamental 

 cause of most of the trouble, it was important to learn exactly to what 

 extent the ranges were being overstocked and the exact manner in 

 which the resulting injury occurs. 



Field workers were instructed to make a thorough investigation of 

 all the matters above referred to by a careful examination of the ranges 

 and meadows and also by inquiry from stockmen and ranchmen. They 

 were also instructed to make collections of all the native grasses 

 and forage plants with full notes regarding their forage value, 

 abundance, past and present distribution, juul also to collect seeds of 

 all the valuable species, particularly those giving indications of use- 

 fulness under cultivation. In cases where seed could not be secured 



