The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-07
OUR PLANTS AND GRASS
All About the Kinds and Styles
Found in Montana.
THEY'VE BEEN STUDIED UP
And the Government Man Called the
Aerostogogist Has Written About
Their Life and Times
and Traits.
Washington Bureau of the standard, !
No. HAS g. street, y. W. \

AbbAs L. ~ "a
Just been issued from the government
printing Office the report Of Thomas A
williams, assistant agro biologist of the de-
partment OF agriculture, on 'the grasses
and forage plants and forage conditions
Of the Eastern Rocky Mountain region
This report contains the result of the In
vestigations conducted by L. Lamson-
Scribrer last year and which have been
several times referred TO I'm this CORE
spondence. Professor Scribner. who is
agrostologist Of the department. is well
known In Montana, where he formerly
resided. In his letter transmitting Mr..
williams report TO the secretary OF agri-
culture. Professor Lamson-Scribner says
thai Mr.. Williams has studied the present
forage problems OF the region and In
v~estigated the native grasses and forage
plants. noting their characteristics dis
tribution, general prevalence and econom-
&c Importance; he has e~ndeavored 10 as
certain how the most desirable sorts may
be preserved or increased, and has also
made close personal observations with
the view of determining some practical
means of restoring the ranges TO their
original grazing value. or at least preserv-
ing them from further injury through
Careless anu Supi l-SikhtfN BA"AAt'N's
The present report is based upon these
studies and Investigations. as well as
upon the results Of work done by the held
agents of the division. While carrying on
these Investigations the work OF the field
agents has not been confined to the dis
tricts easily accessible from the rail-
roads and other common lines of travel,
but. by means OF wagon trips and side tx
cur.ions on horseback. they have pene-
trated into the less-known localities, In
every case making extensive collections
of specimens and seeds, as well as OBJ
tanning all the data possible relating TO
the question of forage supply. There has
also been inclIH ed much Information ac-
CURED through correspondence with
prominent citizens and leading stockmen.
who have cordially responded 10 letters
OF inquiry relative 10 the matters IN
question and materially aided the depart
ment in the prosecution of these grass
and forage plant Investigations.
The report shows that there are fully
4o.o 900. 900 acres of pasture lands IN
Montana alone. There were in Montana,
wyoming and Colorado alone at the be-
ginning Of the year 1897 about $4,000 head
of horses and mules. valued at about
50. 600. 600: more than 5000, 900 head of cat
tie. valued at nearly s56.0oo.00o and more
than e.200.000 head of sheep. valued at
over $40. 500. 600, or a total valuation for
the stock supported chiefly by these ma
tive pastures and meadow lands of about
SIS. 500. 0O0.
In the present bulletin the Typographical
features OF the region are considered, in
Guiding a discussion of the soil. water
supply. etc. This Is followed by detailed
accounts OF the cultivated grasses and
forage plants and the more important
forage plants both grasses and species or
other families. native 10 the region. con-
Guiding with suggestions on methods Of
Improvement Of the forage conditions Of
the ranges. Mr.. williams says stock rails
ing will always be an important industry
in the vast expanse OF territory lying
between the Rocky mountains and the
Tooth meridian. The early settlers recog-
nized Its many natural advantages for
this purpose. and az once began to cover
the hills and valleys with cattle and other
stock. Under the stimulating influence Of
high prices. resulting largely from the
demand created by the civil war. stock
raising rapidly grew 10 be an Industry
OF immense proportions. At first forage
was plentiful; everywhere the supply
seemed inexhaustible and the ranchman :
chief concern was to get more stock In
order that he might turn into cash the
grasses OF the prairies. Stock grew and
fsttened on no other feed than the ma
tive grasses throughout the entire year.
At length. however. stockmen became
aware of the fact that not only was there
O possibility. but a probability, that the
supply of forage would soon be exhausted
n NANs w NAA' ~ ~ 49,
DDS OF stock raising. Under this old sys-
tenn of m-lsmanagement the ranges were
stocked 10 their utmost capacity, ever
for the most favorable conditions, and
consequently the past series OF dry sea-
sons resulted In a great shortage of feed.
Ranchmen are already confronted with
the necessity OF providing extra forage
supplies for use in seasons when the
grasses on the range are short.
The present inquiry, according 20 the
4 kAlA- WVa On
under the direction of the secretary OF ag'
riculture. with a view TO finding some
practical means Of lettering existing con
ditions and encouraging stockmen I'm thcil
efforts TO grow forage crops. a series oI
Investigations Of the various forage prob
lens existing In the West and Northwest
particularly in the states OF Montana
Wyoming and Colorado. These investiga
lions are designed to secure full and &C
curate regarding the pres
ent condition OF the forage problem
what the greatest needs are and how tie,
can be met In the most practical mar
ner: 10 study the native grasses a"d for
age plants. their CHARACTERISTICS. Cigtiihu
ton. abundance and value; TO a~sccr-ail
the best means OF preserving tho MGR
desirable sorts and To introduce in'o cul
~tivation such as promise to be Of vaIuc
"a devise some practical treatment for IN
ranges which will not only restore tFci
original grazing value. hut guard a-ains
future injury through OVERSIZE" King ar
other ca reless and shortsiehted practces
During the past three seasons iEl
agents of the department have geen WON
ing In different parts Of the 'rc-Dn /
question studying matters pertain nE {
the forage supply. The writer mas mad
two trips into the more important gs4z'r.
dis riots and has studied the Honition
and needs by consulting with u" st'rk
men ard collecting all facts likely To al
IN the work Of getting a. a oras.i'L 60