38 BULLETIN 1031, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
The estimated grazing-capacity figures in Tables 10, 11, and 12 are 
computed from careful observations and estimates in each pasture 
by years on the basis of rather full use of available forage each year 
without knowledge or special consideration of what conditions would 
be the succeeding year. This method was followed because there was 
little chance for change except to increase supplemental feeding 
while the drought was on, and it was desired to have a close estimate 
of total grazing capacity by individual years as a basis for the pro- 
gressive adjustments for a similar period in the future. While the 
stock on the reserve was carried over the drought with a maximum 
annual loss of 3.5 per cent as compared with a maximum annual loss 
of about 35 per cent for the surrounding country, without more feed- 
ing than will probably be profitable during another similar period, 
and without injury to the range other than caused by drought alone, 
except in pasture 2, the experience during 1916 to 1919 warrants a 
greater margin of safety even than would be provided by the esti- 
mated grazing-capacity figures given. This conclusion seems war- 
ranted considering the great worry and strenuous effort to prevent 
losses, the rather large reduction in calf crop, and the lack of satis- 
factory growth of young animals, especially during 1917 and 1918. 
Had the drought continued another six months the expense of feed- 
ing would probably have been almost prohibitive. 
RATE OF STOCKING TO: PROVIDE FOR DROUGHT. 
Using as a basis the amount of forage produced on the protected 
areas during the drought, the results in maintaining the condition of 
the forage comparable to the protected areas in pastures 5 and 10 
under the system of grazing used there, and the difficulties encoun- 
tered in carrying the stock through the drought on the reserve, it is 
possible to decide upon a guide for the proper rate of stocking during 
drought in future. 
Considering 1915-16 as about the maximum average condition 
which can be expected for the yearlong or winter range of the re- 
serve, or for similar range, the maximum stocking should not exceed 
the estimated average required per head in pastures 2 and 10 in 
1915-16, or an average of 27 acres per cow for yearlong grazing, 
and should only be this heavy when it can be controlled so as to 
reduce grazing 30 to 50 per cent from average during the growing 
season—July to September, inclusive. The forage produced in 
1916-17, the first years of drought, as shown by the protected areas, 
would not necessitate much reduction in grazing that year; but with 
the prospects of further dry years to follow, it is considered best to 
reduce grazing about 15 per cent the first year of drought and save 
the surplus grass for succeeding years. A summary of the estimated 
