58 THE AMES FORESTER 



A large percent of the winter range of this region is within 

 the Forest boundary, and lies along Snake River and the 

 deeper of its tributary canyons. The small amount of pre- 

 cipitation at the lower elevations at which the winter range 

 lies precludes the growth of much timber, and consequently 

 the range is all of an open bunch grass type, the composition 

 of which is in the main largely as follows, varying to a cer- 

 tain extent on account of the directions of the slope which it 

 occupies : 



OPEN BUNCH GRASS TYPE 



Per Cent 



Surface cover 90 



Density 90 



Palatability 80 



GRASSES 70% WEEDS 20% SHRUBS 10% 



Wheat grass False alum root Serviceberry 



Koeleria Yarrow Rose 



Carex Lupine Tassel bush 



Club moss Maple 

 Potentilla 



The value of the winter range, as far as the forage value 

 of the types is concerned, is all in all nearly equal, but the 

 direction of the slope is the one salient feature about the 

 winter range that must be taken into consideration in allotting 

 the range and the handling of the stock thereon. Slopes hav- 

 ing a northerly exposure are naturally cold, freeze up early 

 and remain frozen during the colder winter months, which 

 prevents the new growth of grass to a very large extent. It 

 is a peculiar fact that the grasses on the north slopes have a 

 carrying capacity of not more than half that of the south 

 slopes; while no investigation has been made to determine the 

 truth of this statement, it is well known to stockmen that the 

 slopes with a northerly exposure being frozen are dangerous 

 for stock to encroach upon, because of the danger of sliding 

 and consequent loss. On the winter range each band of sheep 

 have an individual allotment, as they also do on the summer 

 ranges. 



The method of handling cattle on the winter range differs 

 widely from the method used on the summer range. In allot- 

 ting the summer range, allotments are large and are used 

 jointly by a group or an association of permittees. The winter 



