50 RESEEDING WESTERN GRAZING LANDS 



lengths of about 6 inches are driven through. The harrow may 

 be dragged over the ground by a rope attached to the saddle 

 horn. An ax and a i-inch auger are the only tools needed in 

 the construction of this harrow. 



Sheep are sometimes used to trample in the seed. After close 

 grazing, sheep driven in a compact body two or three times over 

 the seeded area do a satisfactory job of planting. On bunch- 

 grass range, where the tussocks of the native vegetation would 

 be torn asunder by harrowing, sheep are especially recommended 

 for the seed planting. Heavy trampUng of the soil during wet 

 weather should, however, be avoided. 



Scattering the Seed. — Various inexpensive methods of scat- 

 tering the seed uniformly over the area have been used. A 

 compact hand seeder is satisfactory, but an experienced man 

 may obtain good seed distribution by scattering the seed by 

 hand. Windy days, however, should be avoided for this op- 

 eration. It is safest to make double sowings. When this 

 method is employed, half the quantity of the seed is sown by 

 passing up and down the area and the other half by crossing at 

 right angles to the first sowing. If more than one species is 

 being sown, the seed should be thoroughly mixed before it is 

 scattered. 



Elevational Limitations of Reseeding. — Because of the tem- 

 perature and the short growing season, elevation is not uncom- 

 monly a Hmiting factor in range seeding. In the Blue Moun- 

 tains of eastern Oregon fair stands of timothy, Kentucky blue- 

 grass, and red top were obtained at elevations as high as 7,800 

 feet above sea level. At an elevation of about 5,000 feet the 

 plants grew luxuriantly; they not only produced satisfactory 

 height growth but developed an abundance of fertile seed. 

 Above an elevation of about 7,500 feet the height growth and 

 leaf development were greatly reduced, and the yield ratio was 

 approximately i to 4 as compared with seeding at an elevation 

 of 5,000 feet. This relationship is shown in Figure 14, which 

 pictures the relative development of the fleshy stems and of the 

 roots. Also at the higher elevations the stand was seldom good. 

 Moreover, nonsodding plants, Uke timothy, are short-lived, 



