DRY-FARMING CONGRESS, WICHITA, 1914 



79 



old foliage left to interfere with the crop of succulent foliage in the early 

 part of the authorized grazing season when it is so much needed; the 

 danger from fire is less than under yearlong protection; and, more im- 

 portant still, the heavy grazing after seed maturity the first year aids in 

 scattering and planting the seed. 



This factor is especially important on sheep range, as it has been 

 found both in the case of natural and artificial reseeding that a band of 

 sheep can be used effectively as a substitute for harrowing in planting 

 the seed. 



Experimental figures are lacking for the factor of scattering and 

 planting the seed on cattle range. On range for any class of stock, how- 

 ever, this system could have no disadvantage as compared with total pro- 

 tection from grazing and the general results under practical application 

 on cattle ranges, as on sheep ranges, have convinced the Forest Service 

 that reproduction from seed is secured more rapidly when the range is used 

 under this system than when protected from grazing yearlong. 



As a specific basis for these conclusions the following experimental 

 figures and examples under practical application are cited: 



On the Wallowa Forest in northeastern Oregon where the original work 

 on this problem was conducted, two sheep allotments, at an altitude vary- 

 ing from 4800 feet to 7800 feet, essentially grass range which had been over- 

 grazed, were handled under the deferred and rotation system and a de- 

 tailed comparative study made of the results secured under this system, 

 results on similar areas protected against grazing and results on areas 

 grazed under the old practice from July 1 to October 1. 



To secure comparative results under varied conditions a total of 25 

 plots were laid out on the season-long grazed range, 27 plots on the area 

 protected against grazing, and 9 plots on the range under deferred grazing. 



Each plot was recharted twice annually, the total number of plants of 

 each species being determined each time. 



The comparative results were as follows: During the first two seasons 

 there was practically no reproduction from seed on any of the plots, due 

 to the fact that the vegetation had been previously weakened to such an 

 extent by continued early grazing that no fertile seeds were produced until 

 the plants had regained their vigor by the time of seed maturity in the 

 second year. 



In the third year the plots on season-long grazed range showed an 

 average of six seedlings per meter plot, but without exception, they were 

 inferior species of sedge and porcupine grass (Stipa); on the lands pro- 

 tected against grazing there was an average of seven seedlings per plot, 

 primarily of porcupine grass (Stipa), which plants itself by means of its 

 twisted, barb-like awn; on the lands under deferred grazing there was an 

 average of thirty-nine seedlings per plot (meter square) of which a large 

 percentage were bunch grass (Festuca viridula), brome grass (Bronus 

 marginatus) and wheat grass (Agropyron), valuable forage plants, the. 

 seeds of which are large and need to be artificially planted. In other 

 words, the reproduction from seed was 5 V2 times greater on the lands 



