78 BULLETIN 1301, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
With the exception of a few species, the germination of all grass 
seeds planted in the field was low. Bouteloua gracilis produced only 
afew plants. Stipa viridula showed a high germination. 
Forage plants of different kinds were “seeded in the native sod. 
Seedings were made by disking the sod and by scattering seed in 
the grass without disking. In no case during any season that trials 
were made was any stand obtained. From the trials made it appears 
that it is not possible to get a stand of any forage crop in the native 
sod without breaking it. In 1921 a field of 35 acres was broken in 
May and seeded to br omegrass. The season of 1921 was dry during 
the summer, but a good stand of bromegrass was obtained, it produc- 
ing 1 ton of hay per acre in 1922. 
Soil-moisture determinations were made each year in the different 
pastures. The data show that the native vegetation was practically 
dependent upon the current precipitation, as the soil was dry during. 
most of the summer each season. 
CONCLUSIONS FROM THE GRAZING EXPERIMENT 
On the basis of the results from 1916 to 1922, inclusive, the follow- 
ing conclusions are drawn. These conclusions are based on the gains 
of the cattle and the condition of the native vegetation as affected by 
the different intensities of grazing. 
The 100-acre pasture, crazed at the rate of one 2-vear-old steer to 
10 acres,. is larger than necessary. This pasture has produced an 
abundance of feed, which has allowed the cattle to make nearly the 
maximum gains. Since the pasture is undergrazed, the native vege- 
tation has not been injured by intense grazing; neither has the vege- 
tation been benefited by the light grazing. Such plants as white sage 
(Artemisia gnaphalodes), green sage (4. dracunculoides), and purple 
coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) make greater growth in the 100- 
acre pasture because they have been but slightly disturbed by grazing. 
The 70-acre pasture, grazed at the rate “of one 2-y ear-old steer to 
7 acres, provides approximately the acreage required in this region 
for a system of continuous grazing. The cattle made the best gains 
in this pasture, but the native vegetation is not as completely utilized 
as under the system of deferred and rotation erazing. 
The 50-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of one 2-year -old steer to 
5 acres, is not large enough to produce sufficient feed to allow the 
cattle tomake maximum gains. Pasture sage (Artemisia frigida) has 
increased in this pasture because of the close crazing. This pasture 
is overgrazed, as indicated by low gains of the cattle and the increase 
of A. frigida. 
The 30-acre pasture, grazed at the rate of one 2-year-old steer to 
3 acres, is severely overgrazed. It has not produced enough feed 
to carry the cattle for five months. The cattle in this pasture have 
made the lowest gains per head. The small acreage of the pasture 
has resulted in a high gain per acre. The native vegetation has been 
weakened by the heavy grazing. Pasture sage has increased more 
in this pasture than in any of the others. The cattle will not eat 
this plant, and the grazing capacity of the 30-acre pasture has been 
reduced by its increase. "This plant also grows larger here than in 
any of the other pastures. 
