48 RESEEDING WESTERN GRAZING LANDS 



the autumn are killed before the summer rains come. When 

 the seed is scattered shortly before the summer rains begin, say- 

 early in July, a good stand may be expected. 



Causes of Failure. — An analysis of the causes of failure in 

 the unsuccessful tests may aid the stockman to avoid seeding 

 unfavorable sites. The chief causes of failure, given in the 

 order of importance, are as follows: (i) Lack of soil treatment; 

 (2) drought; (3) unsuitable species; (4) failure of the species 

 sown to compete successfully with the native vegetation; 

 (5) wrong time of sowing; (6) overgrazing. 



It is encouraging to note that the factors which are generally 

 responsible for the failures are largely controllable. Failure due 

 to excessive drought, for instance, may be largely avoided by 

 seeding only those lands which are so located as to receive more 

 than average rainfall. The wrong selection of species is avoid- 

 able if the requirements of the species with respect to soil, 

 moisture, altitude, and growth are known. Clearly, such 

 matters as soil treatment, season of sowing, and avoidance of 

 overgrazing are within the control of man. 



Suitable Cultural Implements. — The proper treatment of 

 the soil, following the scattering of the seed, is so important as 

 to warrant a consideration of the use of suitable implements 

 for this purpose. 



If timber is available, a brush harrow constructed from a 

 few saplings or the tops of pine or some other stifT-leaved tree, 

 cut into lengths of about 6 feet and laid parallel to each other 

 at intervals of about a foot, is an effective implement. The 

 brush is held together, as in a vise, between the parts of a 5-foot 

 crosspiece. Such a harrow can be dragged readily over the 

 ground by a rope attached to the saddle horn (Fig. 12). 



On lands where the soil tends to become baked, the use of a 

 wooden-peg " A " harrow is satisfactory (Fig. 13). The frame- 

 work is made from a log about 6 inches in diameter, cut into three 

 lengths of about 5 feet. These are fitted together into the 

 shape of a letter " A " and the ends secured. Holes about i 

 inch in diameter are made through the logs at intervals of about 

 5 inches, and teeth made from tree branches cut to uniform 



