S8 BULLETIN 1031, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The estimated grazing-capacity figures in Tables 10, 11, and 12 are 

 computed from careful observations and estimates in each pasture 

 by years on the basis of rather full use of available forage each year 

 without knowledge or special consideration of what conditions would 

 be the succeeding year. This method was followed because there was 

 little chance for change except to increase supplemental feeding 

 while the drought was on, and it was desired to have a close estimate 

 of total grazing capacity by individual years as a basis for the pro- 

 gressive adjustments for a similar period in the future. While the 

 stock on the reserve was- carried over the drought wdth a maximum 

 annual loss of 3.5 per cent as compared with a maximum annual loss 

 of about 35 per cent for the surrounding country, without more fe6d- 

 ing than will probably be profitable during another similar period, 

 and without injury to the range other than caused by drought alone, 

 except in pasture 2, the experience during 1916 to 1919 warrants a 

 greater margin of safety even than would be provided by the esti- 

 mated grazing-capacity figures given. This conclusion seems war- 

 ranted considering the great worry and strenuous effort to prevent 

 losses, the rather large reduction in calf crop, and the lack of satis- 

 factory growth of young animals, especially during 1917 and 1918. 

 Had the drought continued another six months the expense of feed- 

 ing would probably have been almost prohibitive. 



RATE OF STOCKING TO PEOVIDE FOE DROUGHT. 



Using as a basis the amount of forage produced on the protected 

 areas during the drought, the results in maintaining the condition of 

 the forage comparable to the protected areas in pastures 5 and 10 

 under the system of grazing used there, and the difficulties encoun- 

 tered in carrying the stock through the drought on the reserve, it is 

 possible to decide upon a guide for the proper rate of stocking during 

 drought in future. 



Considering 1915-16 as about the maximum average condition 

 which can be expected for the yearlong or winter range of the re- 

 serve, or for similar range, the maximum stocldng should not exceed 

 the estimated average required per head in pastures 2 and 10 in 

 1915-16, or an average of 27 acres per cow for yearlong grazing, 

 and should only be this heavy when it can be controlled so as to 

 reduce grazing 30 to 50 per cent from average during the growing 

 season — July to September, inclusive. The forage produced in 

 1916-17, the first years of drought, as shown by the protected areas, 

 would not necessitate much reduction in grazing that year ; but with 

 the prospects of further dry years to folloAV, it is considered best to 

 reduce grazing about 15 per cent the first year of drought and save 

 the surplus grass for succeeding years. A summary of the estimated 



