Kov. i6. 1914 Revegetation of Range Lands 147 



advances the time of maturity, and decreases the seed production and 

 the fertility of the seed. 



(5) Grazing after seed maturity in no way interferes with flower-stalk 

 production. As much fertile seed is produced as where the vegetation 

 is protected from grazing during the whole of the year. 



(6) Germination of the seed and establishment of seedlings depend 

 largely upon the thoroughness with which the seed is planted. In the 

 case of practically all perennial forage species the soil must be stirred 

 after the seed is dropped if there is to be permanent reproduction. 



(7) Even after a fertile seed crop has been planted there is a rela- 

 tively heavy loss of seedlings as a result of soil heaving. After the first 

 season, however, the loss due to climatic conditions is negligible. 



(8) When 3 years old, perennial plants usually produce flower stalks 

 and mature fertile seed. 



(9) Under the practice of yearlong or season-long grazing both the 

 growth of the plants and seed production are seriously interfered \vith. 

 A range so used, when stocked to its full capacity, finally becomes 

 denuded. 



(10) Yearlong protection of the range favors plant growth and seed 

 production, but does not insure the planting of the seed. Moreover, it 

 is impracticable, because of the entire loss of the forage crop and the 

 fire danger resulting from the accumulation of inflammable material. 



(11) Deferred grazing insures the planting of the seed crop and the 

 permanent establishment of seedling plants without sacrificing the sea- 

 son's forage or establishing a fire hai&rd. 



(12) Deferred grazing can be applied wherever the vegetation remains 

 palatable after seed maturity and produces a seed crop, provided ample 

 water facilities for stock exist or may be developed. 



(13) The proportion of the range which should be set aside for deferred 

 grazing is determined by the time of year the seed matures. In the 

 Wallowa Mountains one-fifth of the summer grazing season remains after 

 the seed has ripened, and hence one-fifth of each range allotment may 

 be grazed after that date. 



(14) The distribution of water and the extent of overgrazing will 

 chiefly determine the area upon which grazing should be first deferred. 



(15) After the first area selected has been revegetated it may be grazed 

 at the usual time and another area set aside for deferred grazing. This 

 plan of rotation from one area to another should be continued, even 

 after the entire range has been revegetated, in order to maintain the 

 vigor of tlie forage plants and to allmv the production of an occasional 

 seed crop. 



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