B. P. I.—15. Agros.—94. 
EXPERIMENTS IN RANGE IMPROVEMENT IN 
CENTRAL TEXAS. | 
INTRODUCTION. 
It has been written that he is a benefactor of the human race who 
makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before. May it 
not be said with as much reason that he who destroys the single blade 
is a menace to civilization? At all events, the suggestion opens up an 
interesting line of thought, and it may be well worth the effort involved 
to consider very briefly the present conditions of central Texas and 
the Southwest generally. 
The capacity of this section for carrying live stock has been, during 
the past fifteen or twenty years, diminished from 30 to 50 per cent as 
the result of either bad management or a reckless desire on the part 
those who occupied it to ‘‘ get rich in a hurry.” 
In Grazing Problems in the Southwest, and How to Meet Them, 
prepared by Jared G. Smith, under the direction of the Agrostologist, 
it is stated that the Secretary of Agriculture, fully appreciating these 
conditions, directed the Division of Agrostology early in 1897 to begin 
investigations of the forage problems and conditions throughout the 
regions of the Southwest with instructions that particular attention be 
given the native grasses and forage plants, their abundance and value, 
their preservation, and the possible methods to be employed in restor- 
ing the former carrying capacity of the ranges. 
In line with these purposes, Mr. Smith visited central Texas in the 
spring of 1897. Finding there a condition of affairs that, in view of the 
large area of country included in his proposed field of work, called 
for a more extensive investigation than he could make in person, the 
writer was requested to undertake and make the investigations and 
submit a report upon the grasses and forage plants of central Texas. 
It was further suggested that the existing condition of the cattle ranges 
of the Southwest generally be looked into; that the causes of the 
radical exhaustion of the pasturage of central Texas particularly be 
determined, as far as practicable, and that a history of such exhaus- 
tion, with suggestions for its restoration, be submitted. This special 
commission having been approved by the Agrostologist, the writer 
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