EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF GRAZING. 39 



The permanent welfare of the livestock business itself demands that the 

 grazing seasons should not begin too early, because the maintenance of the 

 maximum permanent carrying capacity of the range is identical with the 

 permanent welfare of the communities or individuals depending upon the 

 range. 



Premature grazing was undoubtedly one of the foremost causes of the 

 deterioration of range lands prior to regulated grazing; and the fixing of 

 grazing periods on the lands within the National Forests has had as much to 

 do with range improvement as reductions in number of stock, if not more. 31 



(1) Removal of the herbage year after year during the early part of the 

 growing season weakens the plants, delays the resumption of growth, advances 

 the time of maturity, and decreases the seed production and the fertility of 

 the seed. 



(2) Under the practice of yearlong or seasonlong grazing both the growth of 

 the plants and seed production are seriously interfered with. A range so used 

 when stocked to its full capacity finally becomes denuded. 



(3) Grazing after seed maturity in no way interferes with flower-stalk pro- 

 duction. As much fertile seed is produced as where the vegetation is pro- 

 tected from grazing during the whole of the year. 



(4) Deferred grazing [grazing after seed maturity] insures the planting of 

 the seed crop and the permanent establishment of seedling plants without sac- 

 rificing the season's forage or establishing a fire hazard. 



(5) Deferred grazing can be applied wherever the vegetation remains pal- 

 atable after seed maturity and produces a seed crop, provided ample water 

 facilities for stock exist or may be developed. 



(6) Yearlong protection [against grazing] of the range favors plant growth 

 and seed production but does not insure the planting of the seed. Moreover, 

 it is impracticable, because of the entire loss of the forage crop and the fire 

 danger resulting from the accumulation of inflammable material. 32 



GRAZING CAPACITY BASED UPON THE NATIVE VEGETATION.™ 



The investigations in connection with this experiment are by no 

 means completed. It is recognized that further experimentation 

 may intensify or modify the results already obtained. The results 

 so far secured, however, have an important bearing upon the value 

 of different systems and intensities of grazing and the effects upon 

 the native vegetation. It is not expected that the continuance of 

 the severe grazing in the smaller pastures will afford them an oppor- 

 tunity to recuperate enough to regain their maximum grazing capac- 

 ity even under the most favorable seasonal conditions. 



It might appear that the grazing capacity of the vegetation, as 

 measured by the effects of different intensities of grazing, is antago- 

 nistic to the most economical gains of the cattle and to efficient range 

 management. However true this might appear from the earlier 

 results of the grazing experiment, the two must eventually coincide, 

 since the cattle are entirely dependent upon the native vegetation 

 for their food supply while grazing. Any system or intensity of 

 grazing that will allow the plants to continue their maximum sea- 

 sonal production will be reflected in the gains of the cattle. The 

 most efficient system of grazing may or may not be the one that pro- 

 duces the most immediate profit, but it will produce the most profit 



a Jardine, James T., and Anderson, Mark. Range management on the national forests. 

 U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 790, 98 pp., 4 figs., 32 pis. 1919. 



32 Sampson, Arthur W. Natural revegetation of range lands based upon growth 

 requirements and life history of the vegetation. In Jour. Agr. Research, v. 3, pp. 93-148, 

 6 figs., pis. 12-23. 1914. 



33 The term "grazing capacity" has been used in this publication in preference to 

 " carrying capacity," as it more nearly expresses the manner of forage utilization. This 

 term has also been applied in other publications. See Jardine,, James T., and Anderson, 

 Mark. Range management on the national forests, U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 790, 98 pp., 

 4 figs., 32 pis., 1919 ; and Smith, Jared G., Experiments in range improvement, U. S. 

 Dept. Agr., Div. Agros. Circ. 8, 5 pp., 1 fig., 1898. 



