14 



EFFECT OF NATIVE VEGETATION 



Ordinarily it is much simpler to establish and perpetuate a satis- 

 factory stand of introduced species where the hardy native species 

 have been largely destroyed, provided that the soil has not been 

 depleted through erosion. Soil preparation in such places is a minor 

 matter, and there is little or no competition of the introduced species 

 with native vegetation. Where the perennial native vegetation, par- 

 ticularly persistent perennials such as shrubs or rank-growing weeds, 

 occupies 60 per cent or more of the ground, the site may be producing 

 the maximum amount of vegetation that it is capable of supporting, 

 and the introduced species may not be able to compete successfully 

 for moisture and light with the more hardy natives. Plowing prior 

 to reseeding will eliminate the native vegetation but, because of the 

 cost involved, such intensive cultivation is not warranted except 

 where reasonably high returns may be expected. 



Burning is frequently suggested as a means of destroying rank, 

 worthless shrubs such as sagebrush and is reported to have been tried 

 successfully in some localities. It may prove practicable for clear- 

 ing range land where conditions are such that damage will not be 

 done to the soil, forage, or other land resources. However, the safe 

 methods to employ in burning are so little understood that it should 

 only be tried with great caution and experimentally. Brush cover 

 has a value in preventing erosion on sloping lands, and if a new 

 cover is slow in becoming established after burning, the soil may 

 meanwhile become materially damaged and the streams badly silted. 



SELECTION OF SPECIES 



Of first importance in the choice of species for artificial range 

 reseeding is the selection of plants adapted to local conditions. Of 

 almost equal importance is the probable cost of the seeding operations 

 as measured in terms of possible returns. Seed is the principal item 

 of expense, and, therefore, the species used must be resistant to 

 grazing and trampling and be able, under reasonable grazing use, 

 to produce a volume of palatable and nutritious forage sufficient to 

 repay the cost of the seeding oi^erations. Since full productivity 

 can seldom be attained in one year, it is very important that the 

 species be able to reproduce and improve or maintain the stand 

 under given soil, climatic, and grazing conditions. 



The ability of plants to become established, resist grazing, and 

 imjDrove and maintain the stand under adverse conditions depends 

 largely upon the method of reproduction. In this respect forage 

 plants, and especially grasses, fall into two groups, namely, those 

 which depend mainly upon seed for regeneration, and " creeping " 

 plants or those which, in addition to producing seed, reproduce 

 vegetatively, by rootstocks or stolons. (Table 1.) 



Stolons are trailing or reclining stems above the ground which 

 strike root where they touch the soil and then send up a shoot 

 which has roots of its own and becomes an independent plant when 

 the connecting part dies. Eootstocks (botanically known as rhi- 



