SUMMARY AND SUGGESTIONS. 31 



of deep gorges in every dei^ression, thereby destroying the tillable 

 soils, are directly traceable to the influence of close grazing. 



2. Just control, based on a system of land rentals which properly 

 recognizes the rights of all ranchers located on the public ranges, would, 

 it is believed, meet with popular approval and beneficial results. 



3. The perennial grasses liave been completeh^ destroyed on large 

 portions of the range. With absolute rest these areas would probably 

 be reseeded in time, but it is believed that much can be done to expe- 

 dite the matter by collecting seeds of native i3erennial forage plants 

 in regions where they still persist and sowing them in the more favored 

 localities of the denuded range. As far as the experiments which 

 have been conducted indicate, the blue grama (Bouteloua oligostachya) 

 and the Australian saltbush {Atriplex semibaccata) are the most 

 promising for this purpose. Bromiis j^olyanthus paniculatus^ wire 

 bunch grass {Agropyron spicatum), slender w^heat grass {Agropyron 

 tenerum), and shad scale [Atriplex canescens) also appear to be of 

 some value for this purpose. It is impossible, however, to make defi- 

 nite recommendations at this time. 



4r. It is very necessary to test the germination qualities of native 

 seeds. The grass garden started on the University grounds has served 

 a useful purpose in this respect. The fact that native seed do not 

 germinate when planted does not indicate that the species ma}' not be 

 a valuable one for reseeding worn-out range pastures, for it often 

 occurs that native seed for various reasons does not germinate well. 

 It is suspected that some of the seed gathered last season was not 

 mature. This fault is often unavoidable, either on account of the 

 methods of fruiting of the plant or on account of the collector's lack 

 of time to wait for maturity. 



5. Experiments thus far conducted in reseeding the worn-out mesa 

 pastures having been begun in the month of January, it is desirable 

 that subsequent experiments be carried on during or just before the 

 summer rains. Jul}' or November will probably prove to be the best 

 months for planting in this locality. 



6. Judging from the season of 1900, grass seed can be most advan- 

 tageously collected in the month of October. Seed of the native salt 

 bushes can be gathered at any time from October to January'. 



7. On account of the excessive erosion careful attention should be 

 paid to all cultural operations, and implements should be drawn in 

 such a way that the rainfall may be held and spread over as much 

 land as possible. In other words, cultural operations which extend 

 diagonally across the drainage will usually prove most beneficial. 



8. Fifty-two acres of the fenced portion of the reservation are under 

 cultivation. This area is divided into 60 plats, upon which have been 

 sown about 40 species of forage plants. 



o 



