42 RESEEDING WESTERN GR.\ZING LANDS 



All of the species sown under range conditions proved to be failures. The 

 establishment of timothy is of little consequence for range purposes, because 

 it succeeded only in wet conditions, which are rarely found on the range in 

 this region. 



Timothy, alfalfa, bromegrass, and perhaps some of the other species could 

 probably be established through persistent efforts by plowing the ground 

 and sowing during the summer season. . . . 



It is not believed that the introduction of any of these species, either under 

 range conditions or under cultivation, is practicable. Native grasses are 

 hardier, and if given equal chances will produce more forage on the range 

 than any of these species. While they might succeed under cultivation, it is 

 doubtful whether any of the species would produce as heavily as oats or wheat, 

 which now yield from i ^ to 3 tons of hay per acre without irrigation. 



Since many native plants of high forage value have been proved to be 

 adapted to this region, they should be given the preference in reseeding experi- 

 ments. 



Further experiments under intensive cultivation are not recommended, 

 because such methods are not apphcable to range conditions. 



Like many other investigators, Pearson recognizes the impor- 

 tance of so husbanding the range as to foster the reproduction 

 of the desirable native forage plants. 



PLANT INTRODUCTION ON MOUNTAIN OR SEMI-HUMID LANDS 



The possibihties of successfully seeding valuable forage plants 

 on mountain meadows and similar areas where the rainfall is 

 relatively heavy are considerably greater than on the less- 

 elevated arid lands discussed. It is a matter of common knowl- 

 edge that many portions of the seriously overgrazed mountain 

 meadows and well-drained parks have exceedingly fertile soils 

 and originally produced a large native forage crop of high 

 quahty, but now support few or no valuable range plants. It is 

 evident that the native plants can not be reestablished where 

 the original vegetation has been completely destroyed and the 

 land left in a denuded condition. If such land is to be restocked 

 within a reasonable length of time, seed from forage plants 

 adapted to the local conditions must be introduced. 



These seriously overgrazed lands differed so widely in soD and 

 growth conditions that, before any great amount of seeding was 

 done, it was necessary, through carefully planned experiments, 



