Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-03-08
RANGE GRASSES
The Department Of Agriculture In
vestigates the Conditions and
|. Needs of the West.
.FAYORS A LEASE SYSTEM
Experiments with Grasses and Forage Plants
From Asia That May Grow Upon the
Elevated Lands Of This Region
Without Irrigation.

An interesting and valuable report is
sued by the department of agriculture
upon the grasses, forage plants and for
age conditions of the eastern Rocky
mountain region was made by Thomas
A.. Williams, assistant agrostologist of
the department, who for three years
has, with the aid of field agents. carried
on Investigations. The field agents
have, by means of wagon trips and ex-
cursions on horseback, penetrated re-
mote localities and made extensive col
lections of specimens and seeds. obtain
ing all data possible relating to the
question of forage supply.
The character of the soil of the east
ern Rocky mountain region is exceed
ingly varied. In the valleys 1t shows a
light, sandy loan, heavy black loan, or
a stiff clay. In the higher valleys the
surface is strewn with powders
brought down by glaciers or mountain
torrents. In many places the clay soils
contain quantities of alkali and consti-
tute the so-called "gumbo" and adobe
soils. On the plains the soil varies from
a sandy to a clay loan. Throughout the
greater part of the region the subsoil Is
clayey, but in some localities is quite
gravelly. Over the entire region the soil
is characterized by the presence Of a
greater or less amount of alkali.
The question of water supply in the
region is treated at some length by the
| report. A great evil Is the destruction
| of timber and underbrush at the head
| sive trampling Of the stock and conse-
| quent packing Of the soil and the de-
struction of vegetation in the immedt-
ate vicinity of the springs and small
streams is responsible for many
streams drying up. These changes In
natural conditions result in freshets
during the spring and drouths in the
summer and fall.
The aspect Of the forage question has
changed materially throughout the
eastern Rocky mountain region in the
past ten or fifteen years. Formerly
there was but little land cultivated,
many Of the early settlers We're engaged
in mining, and had little time or incli-
nation for agricultural pursuits. Others
noticing the great opportunities for cat
tie raising, established large ranches,
and these controlled large stretches Of
country and naturally discouraged TAX
ing up tillable lands for general agri-
cultural purposes. Dry seasons and the
large increase in stock soon overcrowd-
| forced to provide forage for stock to
carry it through the winter. This led
to fencing hay meadows, and the cult
walton of alfalfa, timothy, and other
hay and forage crops.
One Of the greatest needs of the re-
gion under present conditions Is a hay
plant that will endure the dry weather
and afford profitable yields. In local.
ton there is usually little difficulty in
raising plenty Of alfalfa, and then the
need is for a supplementary hay or for
age, in order that the alfalfa may be
fed to the best advantage. For much
the greater portion Of the region, how
ever, irrigation Is impossible, and here
q drouth-resistant grass or forage crop
Is much needed. OF scarcely less impor-
lance than winter feed Is the need OF
early pasturage.
There Is a period of a month or so
after the breaking up Of winter and be-
fore the native grasses get started
/ which is one Of the most critical for
ranchmen. Stockmen say that IL some
grass could be introduced that would
provide pasturage earlier than the ma
tive grasses do 1t would be worth many
thousands of dollars to them annually.
A good forage plant is needed also that
will grow and mature above the 5000
foot level without the aid Of irrigation.
The report contains a very complete
description Of the cultivated grasses
and forage plants Of the region, the ma
tive grasses and forage plants, the ma
tive pasture grasses, the native clovers,
vetches and lupines. the rushes and
sedges, and the miscellaneous native
forage plants.