40 



BULLETIN 1031, U. S. DEPARTMEI^T OF AGRICULTURE. 



The basis decided upon as a guide on the reserve in the future dur- 

 ing drought, therefore, is shown in Table 14. 



Table 14. — Rate of stocking reoommended for grama-grass range, Jornada 

 Range Reserve, during period of drought as compared with maximum graz- 

 ing capacity. 







Rate of 



Rate of 







stocldng in 



stocking in 







acres per 



per cent of 







head for 



TnaximiiTn 







365 days' 



grazing 







grazing. 



capacity. 



Year before drought 



27.0 



100.0 



First vear of drought . . 



32.2 



45.7 



85.0 



Second year of drought 



60.0 



Third year of drought 



54.0 



50.0 





54.0 



50.0 







1 This estimate is for the drought of 1916-1919. Sliould drought continue throughout the fourth year or 

 longer, a greater reduction would be necessary depending upon existing conditions* 



Intensit}^ of grazing on this basis is shown in comparison with 

 the changes in condition of representative grama-grass range pro- 

 tected against grazing prior to and throughout the drought which 

 ended in 1919. In connection with figure 5, page 21, the probability 

 of this curve (density of vegetation) being too high for 1917 and 

 1918 was pointed out. The points for 1915 and 1919, however, can 

 be relied upon. Figure 8 shows a more rapid and greater total re- 

 duction in proposed intensity of grazing than in depreciation of 

 range due to drought alone. The difference should make possible 

 the maintenance of the range somewhere near the condition of pro- 

 tected areas. Just what further reduction in stoci?: would be neces- 

 sary in case of prolonged drought is problematical. It is hoped, 

 however, that a maximum reduction of about 50 per cent and supple- 

 mental feeding will take care of the stock during droughts which 

 may occur in the future on the range reserve. 



SUMMER RANGE. 



Tables 15 and 16 show grazing capacity data for pastures 13 and 

 1, respectively. Pasture 13 is the most nearly representative of the 

 'range suitable, primarily for summer grazing, but was not so badly 

 affected by drought, receiving more rainfall than any other part of 

 the reserve. Pasture 1 was representative as to drought, although 

 there is a large area of mesquite-sandhill and grama-grass types 

 in addition to the summer range. 



