446 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



ileges are common property, it is almost certain that 

 it will be overstocked; second, that while it is public 

 domain and thus overstocked, the grasses cannot re- 

 seed the land sufficiently to maintain themselves without 

 diminution; and third, that while it remains public 

 property, the incentive to protect the range grasses is 

 not practicable. Without modications in the system 

 of ranching, therefore, the thing that hath been is that 

 which shall be. The sustaining power of the ranges 

 must grow less and less. 



Modifications That Are Necessary. If the range 

 pastures are to be protected and renewed, it is very evi- 

 dent from what has been said that this can be done only 

 under private ownership. Such ownership would not 

 only interest the individual, in protecting the grasses, 

 but also in improving them. Two methods at least can 

 be given attention, both of which should materially 

 farther the end sought. The first is the fencing of the 

 ranges and thus protecting them, and the second is 

 supplementing the seed produced, when the grazing is 

 alternated, by adding more seed or by sowing seed in 

 some instances even where the ranges are not fenced. 

 That the renewal of the ranges is attended with no little 

 difficulty will now be shown. 



DIFFICULTIES IN THE WAY OF BENEWING THE BANGES. 



The chief difficulties in the way of renewing the 

 ranges arise from the vastness of the area occupied, 

 from the relatively low production of range pastures, 

 and from the scant supplies of moisture. These ob- 



