I3STCEEASED CATTLE PEODUCTTON. 



17 



average of 1,307 head, or at the rate of 26.4 acres per head for ail 

 types of range together. 



In Table II the grazing value of the various other range types in 

 Pasture 2 are compared with that of the grama-grass type. 



TABLE II. Acreage and carrying capacity by types of range in Pasture 2, Jornada Range 



Reserve. 



i 



i Average of 3 years, May 1. 1913, to April 30, 1916. 



The condition of the grama-grass range of Pasture 2 is now about 

 normal. In this case about 21 acres per head, yearlings and above, 

 will furnish 365 animal-days' feed over a period of years, provided 

 the range is not stocked heavier than approximately one animal to 

 40 acres during July, August, September, and October. During 

 the remainder of the year enough additional stock can be grazed 

 to make up for the reduction during the growing season. 



This conclusion is substantiated somewhat by the - records for 

 Pasture 5 (fig. 2). The grama-grass range of Pasture 5 actually 

 furnished 365 animal-days' feed per 20.4 acres during the year from 

 May 1, 1915, to April 30, 1916, though the heaviest grazing was 

 during late summer and fall, when it should be light. Study of the 

 vegetation on this pasture shows that the condition of the range is 

 only approximately 75 per cent as good as similar range in Pasture 

 2. This and the fact that there was a shortage of feed in Pasture 

 5 led to a decision that the pasture was 25 per cent overstocked 

 during 1916. With a reduction of 25 per cent in the total grazing 

 during the year, and light stocking during the growing season, it 

 is estimated that the forage production can be increased 25 per 

 cent in three to four years. The area will then carry stock at the 

 rate of 365 animal-days' feed annually on from 20 to 21 acres of 

 the grama-grass area. If heavy grazing during the growing season 

 is continued, the carrying capacity will, without doubt, be further 

 reduced. 



These two pastures are typical of large areas of plains range where 

 the grama grasses predominate. For such range in good condition, 



