"." hen to seed : September and October are probably the most dependable 

 months in which to seed at high elevations, although early spring, before 

 May 15, should be very good where snow and soil conditions allow it. 



lvtive (tr. at U3W elevatioits oe the louetains, foothills, and 



At the lower elevations a longer growing season prevails, but with less 

 precipitation (only 10 to 25 inches), and a longer, hotter, summer 

 dry spell than on the higher ranges. Soil conditions vary widely. 

 Ucst of the heavy sagebrush and abandoned farm land occur in this 

 elevational range, but since these each present distinct reseeding 

 problems they are discussed separately on pages 14 and 16 respectively. 



Repeated range fires, too early grazing, poor distribution, and just 

 plain overgrazing are all important factors causing depletion of 

 various areas at the medium and lower elevations. Though many of the 

 areas needing seeding are small, occasional extensive ones do occur. 

 Eere depletion has extended from the primary concentration areas onto 

 the steep, rocky, hard-to-repair slopes more frequently than is the case 

 in the higher mountains. In selecting places to be seeded remember that 

 methods which are both economical and dependable have not yet been devel- 

 oped for many of the steep, rocky, dry sites. Even though some of them 

 may seem in urgent need of revegetation, it is often logical to seed the 

 better sites first. In this way, large increases in forage on the good 

 sites will make it easier to relieve grazing pressure on the poorer sites, 

 thus giving them a chance to recover by slow natural processes. 



How to seed : Because much of the low mountain and foothill range is 

 accessible by truck or wagon, there is bettor opportunity to use effective 

 equipment and less reason to use spiketooth harrows or improvised drags 

 for seedbed preparation. 



Use a grain drill where it will operate satisfactorily, and where culti- 

 vation to reduce competition is not needed. Seed about 8 to 10 pounds 

 per acre and cover 3/4 inch deep. 



On productive sites, such as creek bottoms and flats with good soil 

 occupied by undesirable or low value plants, rather thorough seedbed 

 preparation is recommended. Cultivation should be severe enough to kill 

 most of the unwanted vegetation. This may require plowing, wheatland 

 plowing, double disking or some other type of cultivation, as dictated 

 by conditions on the ground. If the seedbed is firm and even enough after 

 cultivation, a drill may be used. Broadcasting is also effective on 

 prepared seedbeds. If rather smooth and firm, harrowing to cover the seed 

 may be necessary, but on rough seedbeds covering may be accomplished by 

 natural soil movement. Harrowing after spring seeding will promote 

 prompt germination and retard drying out. 



On certain steep, depleted slopes where soils are unstable and 

 considerable bare ground is exposed, broadcast seeding without seedbed 

 preparation may be justified for soil protection under critical conditions 

 where better seeding practices cannot be used. Repeated seedings in 

 successive seasons may be necessary and high yields are unlikely. 



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