DESTRUCTION OF SEEDLINGS BY GRAZING 67 



Scattering and Planting the Seed. — Most plants drop their 

 seed as soon as it reaches maturity. This is advantageous in 

 revegetation because it eliminates to a great extent the possi- 

 bihty that the stock will consume much of the seed crop; at 

 the same time it permits the seed to be trampled into the ground 

 when the forage is grazed. 



If the lands are not grazed after the seed crop is disseminated, 

 large chaffy seeds, like those of the bromegrasses, fescuegrasses, 

 the wheatgrasses, and numerous others of primary forage value, 

 even though promptly dropped upon reaching maturity, are 

 usually found uncovered in the spring. On the other hand, 

 plants with more or less rounded, heavy seeds, like those of 

 sedges (the leafage of many of which is not highly palatable) 

 are soon worked beneath the surface soil into a favorable seedbed. 

 Needless to say, therefore, plants of the large-seeded species that 

 fail of being planted, often on account of nongrazing, fail like- 

 wise to reproduce; whereas, the undesirable forms may increase 

 each year. To insure good results, therefore, the lands should 

 be grazed closely, but not destructively, after the seed crop 

 ripens. 



Loss of Seedling Plants from Natural Agencies. — The 

 thoroughness with which the seed is planted in the autumn, the 

 character of the soil, and the favorableness of the climatic condi- 

 tions are the primary factors in the establishment of the seedling 

 stand. On hard-packed soils, as on bed grounds and stock 

 driveways, a large proportion of the seedlings die because they 

 are unable to extend their roots to sufficient depth to absorb 

 the water necessary for their continued growth. Frequently, 

 also, heavy seedling mortality occurs on exposed, dry situations. 

 If the seedling stand has passed through the forepart of the first 

 season in good condition, it is reasonably sure to develop into 

 a permanent cover. By the end of the second year the young 

 plants have formed fairly deep and elaborate root systems, and 

 their continued growth is practically assured (Figs. 20, 21, 22, 

 and 23). 



Destruction of Seedlings by Grazing. — Besides the damage 

 seedlings suffer from natural agencies, their destruction by 



