336 GRAZING CAPACITY AND PASTURE INSPECTION 



poor distribution of the stock, (4) to the need of a fertilizer, 

 (5) to tightly bound sod, or (6) to some other cause? In lo- 

 calities where lime or phosphorus are required various indi- 

 cators flourish, as, for example, moss, bracken fern, and numerous 

 other acid-tolerant weeds. The addition of lime or some stand- 

 ard phosphate fertilizer readily corrects the soil depletion and 

 fosters the development of the vegetation desired. On the 

 other hand, many a sod-bound pasture is immediately im- 

 proved by disking or otherwise loosening up the surface. 



12. What are the chief forage species as well as the more 

 objectionable and aggressive weeds? At what time does the 

 seed crop of the best forage plants ripen? 



13. What are the poisonous plant species, and to what'.extent 

 and at what time in the season do the livestock losses occur 

 therefrom? Would it be practical to eradicate the plant spe- 

 cies causing the losses? If so, how much would it cost, and 

 when could the work be done most effectively? 



14. What improvements should be made, and what is the 

 condition of the fences, corrals, and other such features already 

 constructed? 



15. If there are any game animals, what kind and approxi- 

 mately how many are there? Are they increasing or diminishing 

 in number? Is their number so great that they consume an 

 appreciable amount of feed which would otherwise be utilized 

 economically by domestic foraging animals? Where do they 

 range (i) in summer, (2) in winter? 



A guide to the answers to the foregoing questions will be found 

 in the preceding chapters. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Define grazing capacity. 



2. Name several "human" or controllable factors which may influence 

 the grazing capacity of a pasture. 



3. Name and discuss two distinct methods which have been employed in 

 determining grazing capacity. 



4. How many sheep or goats may be taken as the equivalent of a cow in 

 determining the acreage of pasture required for a given unit of time? 



5. What were the gross or surface acreage requirements per cow unit on 

 National Forest range in 1907, and in 192 1? 



