194 CONTROL OF EROSION ON R.\NGE AND PASTURE 



HOW MORE THAN HALF OF THE EROSION BATTLE IS WON 



In summarizing it may be restated that much more than half 

 of the battle of preserving pasture lands from the devastating 

 effects of erosion is won by the maintenance of a good vegetative 



Fig. 64. — a terrace SEEDED TO MOUNTAIN BROMEGRASS ON LAND WHICH 



FORMERLY WAS ERODING SERIOUSLY. 



The old shoestring gullies have "rounded out" and can no longer be seen. 



cover to prevent the starting of soil washing. The most effect- 

 ive method of doing this involves (i) the avoidance of overgraz- 

 ing, (2) the avoidance of too early grazing, (3) the application 

 of deferred and rotation grazing, (4) artificial reseeding (in 

 choice sites only), and (5) the proper control and distribution of 

 stock. 



Where the depletion of the soil and the formation of long- 

 established gullies make thorough revegetation impossible, 

 destructive floods and erosion may be controlled by (i) the 

 total exclusion of stock, (2) terracing and planting, and (3) the 

 construction of dams. 



QUESTIONS 



1. (a) To what extent do topography, climate, and soil determine the 

 degree of erosion? (b) To what extent does the plant cover influence it? 



