THE RESEEDING OF DEPLETED GRAZING LANDS. 



25 



(4) That in the Wallowa Mountains an altitude of 7,800 feet 

 marks the highest limit at which reseeding is likely to pay. This is 

 about 500 feet below timberline. 



(5) That on acid soils redtop or redtop and timothy should be 

 sown. 



(6) That acid soils may be recognized by the type of vegetation 

 present. 



Further conclusions of practical importance, based upon the experi- 

 ence derived from both the intensive and the extensive experiments, 

 will be presented in the following pages. 



SELECTION OF SPECIES. 



In introducing cultivated forage plants on the range the judicious 

 selection of the species to be sown is a matter of first importance. If 

 species which are not adapted to the local conditions are chosen the 

 cost of seed and labor is to no purpose. 



The chief points to be considered are : The particular soil and cli- 

 matic conditions in their relation to the requirements of the various 

 species ; the cost of the amount of seed required to establish a satis- 

 factory forage stand ; the time required, and the ability of the species 

 to withstand grazing; and finally, the palatability, nutritiousness, 

 and forage yield of the species. 



HABITAT REQUIREMENTS OF THE SPECIES STUDIED. 



In the selection of species possibly the most common and most 

 serious mistake is made in not choosing those best adapted to local 

 moisture and soil conditions. 



From the standpoint of moisture requirements the species studied 

 may be classed as of high, intermediate, and low requirements. The 

 first group includes the plants that grow luxuriantly in wet meadows 

 and saturated soils, poorly drained and consequently poorly aerated. 

 The second group includes those which do best on well-drained and 

 more porous soils, but which, though requiring a medium amount of 

 moisture for their highest development, may do fairly well both in 

 dry and moist habitats. The third group consists of species which 

 thrive best on lands that are well drained at all times of the year. 

 Table 6 gives the arrangement of the species under these heads. 



Table 6. — Water requirements of the species. 



Low. 



Intermediate. 



High. 



Alfilaria. 



Alfalfa. 



Alsike clover. 



Australian saltbush. 



Alsike clover. 



Orchard grass. 



Blue grama grass. 



Canada blue grass. 



Red clover. 



Bur clover. 



Italian rye grass. 



Redtop. 



Hard fescue. 



Japan clover. 



White clover. 



Mesquite. 



Kentucky blue grass. 





Slender wheat grass. 



Orchard grass. 





Smooth brome grass. 



Perennial rye grass. 





Timothy. 



Red clover. 



Tall meadow oat grass. 



Timothy. 



White clover. 





