58 FIELD OPERATIONS OF THE BUREAU OF SOILS, 1919. 



tions, afford good hay and pasturage even during the driest years. 

 Grama grass, big bluestem, wire grass, and western wheat grass are 

 the most important species. From 6 to 8 acres are required to sup- 

 port a cow or steer throughout the year, hay being fed in severe 

 weather. Wild hay yields three-fourths to one and one-half tons 

 per acre, depending upon the rainfall. The land ranges in selling 

 price from $20 to $35 an acre. 



Where the type is extensively developed it is one of the best hay 

 soils of the High Plains region and on the better drained areas in 

 Morrill, Box Butte, Dawes, and Sheridan Counties, it is used for the 

 production of alfalfa and grain crops with excellent results. 



ROUGH BROKEN LAND. 



The type mapped as Rough broken land includes extensive areas 

 of badly eroded stream slopes and bluffs which are unsuited for 

 agriculture, with the exception of included stream valleys and a 

 few small areas that have escaped excessive erosion. The topography 

 is extremely rough and broken ; steep slopes, canj^ons, and gullies 

 abound. Rock outcrops over a considerable proportion of the type, 

 forming in many places cliffs and vertical walls. The greater part 

 of the type has been carved from the underlying Tertiary sandstone, 

 which is readily broken into a rough topography where erosion is 

 active. There is usually present a considerable quantity of white 

 calcareous stones, fragments of the underlying sandstone formations. 



The type is one of the most extensive in Banner County. It occurs 

 chiefly in the northeastern and southeastern parts. The largest body 

 occupies Wild Cat Ridge. The type also occurs as an irregular 

 jagged though almost continuous strip bordering the north edge of 

 the table-land throughout the county. Extensive areas were mapped 

 along Rocky Hollow, a tributary of Lawrence Fork, in the south- 

 eastern part of the county. Drainage over most of the type is ex- 

 cessive, owing to the steep slopes. 



The type is used exclusively as grazing land. There is a good 

 growth of grasses, except in those areas where erosion has been ex- 

 tremely rapid. Grama grass, buffalo grass, and western wheat grass 

 are the most important species. Blackroot, a sedge, is also impor- 

 tant. Scrub pine grows on the narrow ridges and steeper slopes, 

 while in the canyons elm, cottonwood, ash, boxelder, willow, hack- 

 berry, and ohokecherry constitute the tree growth. 



Rough broken land will support 25 to 35 head of cattle per section 

 when grazed throughout the year. The rough topography affords 

 protection to stock during severe weather. The land is valued at $12 

 to $15 an acre. 



