The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-08-11

Northern Pacific railway. and who. during
the past two years. has made very extern
sive researches along the line in which
Prof. Scribner is interested.
The division OF which Mr. Scribner is at
the head has been engaged in field iuvesti-
cations of grasses and forage plants OF the
ranges east OF the Rocky mountains for
several years past. and the results OF which
have been exceptionally gratifying They
have been embodied IN very complete re-
ports published in bulletin form by the de-
partment.
1t IS now proposed by the secretary 10
extend these Investigations 10 the Pacific
coast" said MIR. Scribner. land my visit is
made here with this object in view. / am
looking over the field to determine the
character OF the work To be done, and par
ucHlafly TO take up the problems 10 be
solved in connection with the Improvement
OF cattle ranges by the introduction OF
useful grasses and forage plants. Particu-
lar attention Will also be given to the, in
vesugadon OF those grasses best suited TO
holding the driving sands found In many
parts OF the new West. This subject I am
especially interested In. The first paper |
punished on entering my present position
under the Cleveland administration was
upon this subject. There has been dtscny-
cred IN Klickitat county a variety OF grass
mat mas succeeded without aid in binding
down several thousand acres az loose
sandy land. This species Will he one that
"" Will investigate thoroughly and select
for experimenting in this way.
To Improve stock Ranges
The Importance Of these investigations
Is made strongly evident bv the present
condition OF the stock ranges in the east
ern part OF this state Oregon and Idaho.
for II IS absolutely certain that II your I'M
meHse cattle AMI sheep industries are 10 be
maintained, the grazing vaIge ~ the
ranges which have beer largely DESTROYED
must D. conserved AID improved This can
bust he dome by propagation ~ Our native
grasses and forage plants which Wy. for
merry SO abundant that StockYf,er though,
the supply irexh8ustibfe We have mary
naive vetrnes. peavines and other leguu4i-
nous pIaatS. which ~ properly cared for
ana pFnfaEated. will AFFORD a rich supply
81 nutritvo FORAGE where a. present vour
soil i practically barren. In addition n
'Aes" plants " have between as1 and 30
species ~ grasses native 20 this region.
4 can say there are few places in the
word where nature has been 50 liberal IN
thf variety and fine quality Of grasses
growing without effort Or The part ~ r,a,
as car be found in fht. section east 80 re
tdScaacs- The bgnchgrasses OF this rot3r-
Try are renowned Tor Their richness and
s1Fy are Noted f1r the production - slIfaa-
ficf QH3iity 40 mutton and heef. These are
rapidly passing away. owing Ia excessive
CROPPING. ana our Efforts viii 80 toward
-" prosecution n tte nasturage and cor
serving ~ better varieties now In exist
enHe and establishing new ones adapted N
the conditions
- ass not yet dawred or :. r,sa iarl.,-
q soar people that above an voar ofha-
rural interests stock rals.uE - IN the
tn'uro deS'i~@i . predominant. Ynti- or
CHARTS are wor@frfui. your grain folds are
~ res - wealth, b.; more pertain an!
fff-"@ r"oa'7hls tl8G any - tns Other
Agricultural pursuits Ntfl eventually -. ,ha
raising II sheep. cat,le. hogs and horsss.
and 4pon .his Erass question Pests your
s.o-k Industry
>"n,e Valuable Grasses.
We haTe quite a number q nAw
grasses ,6a; Ne nave good reason - b.
ueye III 20 worth extea+e9 propagation
% tha ogsa ranges. among which I .lar
intention The h'ue grarna or giant re
grass. ~asa yields a large amount -
iafa%e 4a very dry Soi4s and those wh.rn
1:@ alaFt vs sesS alksiia~ sua tne raw
5ra 1et - reEariss. AS q SPECIAL yxlg,s
fcT S-@c yasa horses
"Anothe- dry Land grass Is buush wheat
grssS, w2.,a As showing Itself vel or
yBO G. lie .2ssss - eSs.sE Wasa..g-