MOUNTAIN GRAZING AREAS. 19 



white clover, and mountain brome-grass (Bromus marginatum). 

 These were seeded in plots of approximately 5 acres each. On half 

 of each of these plots the seed was broadcasted without further 

 preparation. On the remaining' half the seed was harrowed in with 

 a spring-toothed harrow. In addition to these, small plots of Cana- 

 dian rye-grass (Elymus canadensis) and wild wheat (Elymus triti- 

 coides) were seeded. 



In the spring of 1903 the first five plots were duplicated and the 

 following grasses and forage plants Avere added: Brome-grass 

 (Bromus inermis), perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), Italian 

 rye-grass {Lolhim italicum), orchard grass, Canadian bluegrass 

 (Poa compressa), tall fescue (Festuca elatidr), sheep's fescue (Fes- 

 tuca ovina) . hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula) , cheat (Bromus seca- 

 linus), alsike clover, and red clover. All of these, excepting orchard 

 grass, Italian rye-grass, sheep's fescue, and mountain brome-grass, 

 were duplicated in the fall. 



In the autumn of 1901 some of these grasses, together with six 

 different kinds of vetches and some native grasses, were seeded on 

 plowed ground. Reports of these 1904 experiments will be published 

 when completed. 



In the above experiments the following grasses have given totally 

 negative results, the seed failing to germinate: Canadian rye-grass, 

 wild wheat (Elymus triticoides) , Kentucky bluegrass, white clover, 

 and hard fescue (Festuca duriuscula). In the following cases the 

 seed has germinated fairly well, but the plants have not made satis- 

 factory growth: Canadian bluegrass, perennial rye-grass, Italian 

 rye-grass, red clover, and alsike clover. It may be that another year 

 the alsike clover will do better. So far the writer has been unable 

 to determine whether the failure of this plant has been due to lack 

 of nitrogen bacteria or to unfavorable conditions in the soil. Another 

 year's work will probably demonstrate the cause of the failure of 

 this plant. 



Kecltop and cheat (Bromus secali?ius) have both made a fair 

 growth, but can hardly be recommended at this altitude (5,000 feet). 

 Of the entire list of grasses tested, the following, in the order in which" 

 they are named, have proved themselves adapted to mountain range 

 conditions: Timothy (see PL I, figs. 1 and 2), mountain brome-grass 

 (Bromus marginatus), tall fescue, and brome-grass. It is probable 

 that orchard grass will also prove of value in such areas. 



While these experiments have demonstrated that the range can be 

 greatly improved by reseeding, they have also shown that, if it is pos- 

 sible to do so, the seed should be harrowed in. On those areas where 

 the soil is loose, or where pine-grass (Calamagrostis suksdorfii) 

 grows, a spring-toothed harrow will be found the most satisfactory. 

 On those areas where the sedges and mountain clover abound, far 



