76 MISC. PUBLICATION 7 02, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



It is planned to make an economic analysis of the more important 

 problems in subsequent work. 



BROMUS TECTORUM 



During the last quarter of a century bromus tectorum, a European 

 species of annual bromegrass commonly known as broncho or cheat 

 grass, has invaded and replaced perennials on extensive areas of 

 western range. When young the plant is quite palatable to livestock; 

 however, it completes its growth in early summer and the dry unpalat- 

 able herbage furnishes little, if any, feed from that time until the next 

 spring. Because of its sharp points and rough beards, livestock 

 avoid the dry plant. Also, dry cheat grass is highly inflammable; 

 it constitutes a serious fire hazard. There are wide differences of 

 opinion as to what can and should be done to improve range infested 

 with this annual. Some authorities indicate that they know of no 

 practicable method for replacing cheat grass on the vast areas of 

 range it now occupies. The Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station 

 reports poor results in reseeding such ranges with crested wheatgrass 

 and some of the native grasses. 



Experimental work conducted in Oregon on the effectiveness of 

 deferred and rotational grazing on cheat-grass stands has not reached 

 the stage at which definite conclusions are available. However, in areas 

 from which desirable perennials are gone, and it is deemed advisable 

 to replace cheat-grass cover, artificial reseeding is the only recourse. 

 When possible, the land should be plowed, but if this is impracticable 

 the cheat grass may be burned before the seed drops to the ground 

 and the ash used as seedbed. Restoring cheat-grass range is expensive. 

 Even at prewar prices, "Usual costs have varied from $1.50 to $2.50 

 an acre, depending upon the intensity of seedbed preparation, method 

 of seeding and cost of seed" (28) . 



BURNING BRUSH 



Results of burning brush to facilitate natural restoration of the 

 range or to provide a seedbed for artificial reseeding vary under dif- 

 ferent physical conditions. In most of the high-rainfall areas along 

 the coast of northwestern California reseeding on burned areas has 

 been successful, while in other areas of the State failures have generally 

 resulted. 



Burning brush before seeding has been relatively successful in west- 

 ern Oregon where a million and a half acres of cut-over land suitable 

 for pasture are not utilized to the fullest extent. In establishing 

 stands of grass on such lands the brush should be burned and grass 

 seeded in the ashes as soon as they have cooled. The ideal time to seed 

 is immediately following logging operations when the ground is 

 torn up and in a loosened condition. Sub-clover and Alta fescue are 

 recommended in this area for spring and fall pasture, with Lotus 

 Major as a source of summer pasture. 



Irrigated Pasture and Range 



Greater emphasis on irrigated pastures seems likely both in the 

 new and in the older irrigated areas of the West. A substantial por- 

 tion of new irrigation is to be developed in the subhumid parts of the 



