THE COAST-BLUFF BELT. 49 



capability of withstanding trampling and grazing; (3) persistence for 

 more than one year; (4) propagation from the roots rather than from 

 seed. 



The species which appear to best meet these requirements, and 

 which are therefore recommended for trial on the annual ranges, are : 

 Buffalo grass, blue grama, white clover, red fescue, sheep's fescue, 

 hard fescue, bur clover, California lotus, and Australian ray grass. 



All these species have proved suited to the climate and conditions at 

 Berkeley, but whether or not they will be found thoroughly adapted 

 to the climate of Mendocino and Humboldt counties can be deter- 

 mined only by experimental culture on the ranges themselves. 



If possible, they should be planted out at the time of the first fall 

 rains. They should in any case be carefully fenced from stock until 

 thoroughly established. It will be advisable to sow at the same 

 time seed of some annual species, such as soft chess, which will act as 

 a nurse crop while the perennial species are establishing themselves. 



If it is intended to sow seed in quantity, it will be wise to have it 

 carefully examined at the time of the purchase, and only to purchase 

 clean seed, free from seeds of injurious weeds. Some stockmen have 

 injured their ranges almost as much as they have benefited them 

 by the introduction of injurious weeds along with the seed of valu- 

 able forage plants. 



The writer does not presume to prescribe an absolute and infallible 

 remedy for worn-out ranges. Each range has, to some extent, its own 

 individual peculiarities, and the man who has lived several years on 

 the land, through divers seasonal variations, should be the one best 

 fitted to decide how to treat that land. In matters of range renewal 

 and improvement it is the practical and well-informed stockman him- 

 self who will have to bring the ranges back to their full cariying 

 capacity. However, such a man is always looking for suggestions, 

 and it is with the view of bringing them directly to his notice that 

 these pages have been written ; they are simply suggestions, and their 

 adaptability to divers conditions must be decided by the stockman. 



THE COAST-BLUFF BELT. 

 CLIMATOLOGY. 



The climate of the belt lying immediately along the coast is more 

 equable than that of the higher interior region; proximity to the 

 ocean renders the winter climate milder, and snow is almost unknown, 

 except, perhaps, on the high peaks of Cape Mendocino. In summer 

 the prevailing northwest winds are cold and the heavy sea fogs prevent 

 any excess of sun heat, so that even in July and August warm under- 

 clothes and an overcoat are acceptable adjuncts to a stage ride. The 

 summer precipitation is greater here than in the interior. 



This moisture of the atmosphere makes it difficult to harvest a good 

 18766— No. 12—02 4 



