FORAGE CROPS FOR THE COLORADO Pl.AINS 
By Alvin Kezer 
Introduction 
It is the pur{x>se of this publication to treat of some of the funda¬ 
mental considerations necessary for the growing of forage crops on 
the Colorado Plains outside of the irrigated districts. The farming 
conditions are those commonly called “dry farming.” Considerable 
experimental work has been done from time to time at Cheyenne Wells, 
Monument, by the Government at Eads and Akron, at Julesburg, and 
cooperatively at a number of other points. The experimental work 
has been supplemented by the work of different field agents from 
time to time, and several years acquaintance and observation thru this 
territory. 
CLIMATE AND TOPOGRAPHY 
The Colorado Plains constitute a ])art of what is known as the 
Great Plains area. They lie east of the Rocky Mountains and extend 
from the base of the foothills to the state line. These plains are, for 
the most part, smooth to rolling prairies. Thru the northern part, the 
Platte River has cut its valley, which gives rise to an extended de¬ 
pression extending north-easterly from the city of Denver to the state 
line. Thru the southern part, running almost due east and west, the 
Arkansas River has cut its valley, creating a depression and many 
soil modifications due to stream flow and the deposition of soil ma¬ 
terial from flowing water. The Divide region between the Platte 
and Arkansas drainage reaches a considerable altitude, above 9,000 
feet. This divide decreases in altitude and sharpness of slope towards 
the east, being much flatter as it approaches the eastern border. The 
streams cause more or less breaks and some rugged features in the 
otherwise general smooth to rolling appearance. 
The climate is mild-temperate, but subject to very sharp extremes 
of both heat and cold, moisture and dryness. 
The normal rainfall as shown by the Government and State rain¬ 
fall records, varies from a minimum of approximately 8 inches to a 
maximum of about 18 inches. In years of drouth the rainfall is very 
much less than normal, while in years of heavy precipitation—so-called 
wet years—rainfall greatly exceeds the normal. 
The region is one vast, unprotected, treeless plain, and as a con¬ 
sequence it is subject, especially during the spring and fall months. 
