IMPROVEMENT OF THE PASTURES 33 



lands, was of distinct benefit in that the productivity of the 

 depleted pastures was improved, and the profits from the Hve- 

 stock business were increased. 



Fig. 8. — FENCING WAS THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS RATIONAL PASTURE AND 

 LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT THAT FOLLOWED THE ADOPTION OF THE LEAS- 

 ING SYSTEM. 



The control of the number of stock grazed and the prevention of too early grazing soon resulted in 

 marked improvement in the forage crop, as shown by the growth on the fenced area on the right. 



Improvement of the Pastures. — The more important benefits 

 of maintaining the productivity of the pastures were as follows: 



1. The time for utilizing the forage crop was definitely con- 

 trolled. The wasteful and destructive practice, in operation 

 on the open range, of grazing the herbage early in the spring 

 when the soil was saturated with moisture and the grasses were 

 just starting to grow was avoided. Also, by means of division 

 fences suitable herbage was conserved for definite seasonal 

 periods. 



2. Destructive grazing was avoided. Knowledge of the exact 

 acreage and the character and luxuriance of the forage stand, 

 and consequently of the number of stock the pasture would 

 safely support, made it possible to maintain the lands in a high 

 state of productivity. On the adjacent public-domain lands, 

 where stock could not be controlled, the herbage was excessively 

 grazed and trampled and in many locaHties completely killed out. 



3. Water facihties in many localities were improved, and ex- 

 cessive travel of stock was avoided. Where water was inade- 



