Aug. 7, 1916 Vegetative Succession Under Irrigation 759 



SUMMARY 



The artificial formation of natural meadows is a gradual change divisi- 

 ble into several distinct periods or phases, each characterized by one or 

 more particular species. 



The relative permanence of these stages may be largely controlled by 

 regulation of the water supply. By the same means any stage, in some 

 measure, may be produced at will. 



Agropyron spp. and Deschampsia caespitosa furnish the most valuable 

 hay. 



The yield of the natural meadowlands is generally smaller and less 

 nutritious than the possible yield of the artificial. The latter meadows, 

 however, tend ultimately to be composed of the same type of vegetation 

 that characterizes the natural meadows; therefore it is important to 

 watch and control their development. 



This manner of hay raising is practicable at high altitudes where both 

 land and water are abundant and domestic crops are uncertain. Where 

 conditions are favorable for cultivated crops, the method would be waste- 

 ful and should be regarded as unsound farming. 



With the growing scarcity of farming land and the development of 

 crops suited to areas usually considered nonarable, the practical arti- 

 ficial formation of natural meadows will become limited to regions of 

 even higher altitude and shorter season than those considered in this 

 paper. 



