238 WESTERN GRAZING GROUNDS AND FOREST RANGES 



That the entire western range has been seriously 

 damaged by over-grazing goes without saying. The 

 only way in which it can ever be restored to anything 

 like its old time condition and value is through some 

 system of range control by a power stronger than any 

 local management. It can only be done by the Federal 

 Government, which is free from entanglements with 

 local users and local prejudices. That it will be done 

 some day is as sure as that the run rises in the east. 



One of the most efficient methods for range improve- 

 ment, that of a "rotation in use" of the ranges, can 

 only be utilized through Government control of the 

 lands. This rotation system when applied withdraws 

 but one-fifth of each range from grazing use each year. 

 This gives the grasses a chance to reseed the land and 

 in a short time the productive capacity of the land is so 

 increased that the one-fifth not used is more than made 

 up by the improvement on the other areas. 



In five years the range shows remarkable improve- 

 ment and with conservative use will hold its value as a 

 stock range. 



To allow such a valuable resource to continue to be 

 abused when it can easily be placed on its old footing 

 again is not consistent with American methods. It is, 

 however, the stockmen's problem and they must solve 

 it. 



Reseeding a Range. While the ranges will recover 

 most of their old form and value if given a rest, there 

 are many pastures and enclosed areas where it is pos- 

 sible through artificial means to secure not only a better 

 growth but in some instances a better forage plant than 

 was originally found on the ground. 



A great deal of experimental work has been done 



