2 BULLETIN 34, U. S. DEPABTMENT OP AGBICULTUBE. 



The serious decline in the carrying capacity of vast tracts of west- 

 ern range lands can be traced almost wholly to failure to recognize 

 the primary requirements of plant growth. During the " free-for- 

 all " grazing period of earlier days the most palatable species were so 

 closely cropped that they were unable to develop the necessary plant 

 food, and so literally starved. In addition, the roots were frequently 

 injured D3 7 trampling or killed by exposure. As a result, the best 

 kinds of vegetation grew weaker from season to season, and, where 

 the practice of early and close grazing was continued, the range at 

 last became practically denuded. 



Fortunately, on the majority of National Forest lands not only ex- 

 cessive grazing before the forage crop was mature but also continued 

 close grazing was done away with before the vegetation was entirely 

 killed out, although in many localities the best species had given way 

 to less desirable ones. The discontinuance of premature grazing and 

 overstocking, combined with improved methods of handling stock 

 under Government regulations, has resulted in the improvement of 

 range lands within the National Forests to the point where it is again 

 possible to market large numbers of beef and mutton animals directly 

 from the range— a thing which in many places could not be done 

 during the last few years prior to the inclusion of the lands within 

 National Forests. 



In order to know exactly how to maintain a satisfactory forage 

 crop, and how to manage lands in need of improvement in the best 

 and most economical way, a study was inaugurated by the Forest 

 Service in 1907, in cooperation with the Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 in which the life cycle of the leading range plants on sheep lands 

 within the Wallowa Mountains of northeastern Oregon was carefully 

 observed. This bulletin points out how, through carefully consider- 

 ing the growth requirements and methods of reproduction of the 

 forage plants, the carrying capacity of the range lands may be. still 

 further increased without decreasing the number of stock which use 

 them. Statements and conclusions are based upon results secured 

 from three years of careful study and two seasons of practical appli- 

 cation in range management. The subject will be taken up in two 

 parts: (1) The natural growth requirements of range plants; and 

 (2) a grazing system, based upon these requirements, which will 

 insure a maximum forage crop. 



REQUIREMENTS OF PLANT GROWTH. 



As it affects grazing management, the life cycle of forage plants 

 may best be discussed under the following heads: (1) The produc- 

 tion of foliage in the early growing season; (2) the production of 

 flower stalks and seed crop; (3) the scattering and planting of seed; 

 and (4) the establishment of seedling plants. 



