M c» n 



13 



of planting the seed, and after-treatment of grass lands, including 

 grazing, rest, fertilizing, and cultivation. 



2. Range improvement, or the best methods of bringing up the 

 natural grass lands of the great range regions of the country and 

 maintaining them in the condition of greatest productivity, including 

 the improvement of the native grass cover by reseeding, alternation 

 of rest and grazing periods,, scarifying, etc. 



3. Alkali-resistant crops, particularly those best adapted to fur- 

 nishing forage that can be used to supplement the native ranges. 



•1. Cover crops for soils liable to wash, which will at the same 

 time afford a supply of forage or can be turned under for green 

 manure. 



5. A continuous soiling series for use in sections where the dairy- 

 ing industry is paramount. 



6. Winter pasturage for the South and Southwest. 



7. Sand-binding grasses for the Coast regions and along the 

 Great Lakes. 



8. Meadow crops for higher altitudes particularly in the Rocky 

 Mountain States, where, although pasturage is abundant, crops that 

 will produce profitable amounts of hay are greatly needed. 



9. Supplementary forage crops, particularly those with a short 

 season of growth, that can be grown in rotation with wheat, cotton, 

 and other primary crops, either for forage or for the improvement of 

 soil fertility. 



10. Drought-resistant crops for arid sections. 



11. The selection and development of improved varieties of 

 grasses and forage crops adapted to special conditions and us - 



As a result of visiting the State stations, and through correspond- 

 ence, it has been ascertained that cooperative work can be arranged 

 for the investigation of each of these problems with one or more sta- 

 tions most advantageously situated, and there is no question as to 

 urgent need of such investigations. In some cases arrangements 

 have been practically completed for undertaking work along certain 

 of these lines, such as the formation, care, and management iA' 

 pastures and meadows, range improvement, and soiling crops, but 

 the funds provided are too limited to justify the undertaking o\' more 

 than a relatively small portion of the investigations needed. In fact 

 the entire amount of funds could be spent to advantage in the investi- 

 gation of almost any one of the problems, ami would then be found 

 too meager for the purpof 



In many eases this cooperative work can be carried on. as has been 

 done in a limited way in the past, through the distribution of seeds 

 of desirable varieties, and this should be undertaken wherever j - 

 sible. It is very desirable, however, that the work should be organ- 

 ized on a more systematic basis than heretofore, particularly in order 



