The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-10-09
AGRICULTURAL.
RANGE IMPROVEMENT.
Three Species of Grass For the Re.
newal of wornout Ranges.

Three Species of Grass For the Re.
newal of wornout Ranges.
Already the ranges In most parts Of
the plains region OF Montana begin to
show the evil effects of overstocking.
This is particularly true OF the main
lines of travel pursued by the different
bands of sheep and in the vicinity Of
shipping points and shearing corrals.
while In many fenced Enclosures and
sven on the open range the grass Is be-
coming more and more sparse, so that
only long rest or replantlng can ever
make them capable of supporting the
herds and fiocks which they formerly
nourished.
There is constantly increasing de-
mand for methods of restoring these
wornout ranges and making them
more productive. The effect of close
grazing varies with the species, some
grasses being quickly exterminated,
others persisting in a scattered or
weakened condition. while still others
not only persist under these untoward
conditions, but actually are caused to
stool out and spread by such grazing,
and their seeds are scattered In the
offal. What are these latter species
and how can they be established In To-
calities where they are most needed?
There are at least three species that
seem to fulfill these conditions In a
greater or less degree. and think most
Of the stockmen will agree with these
conclusions, says ]. w. Blankenship of
Montana. who names these grasses as
the blue joint" the grama or buffalo
grass and the true buffalo or little buf-
falo grass. OF the grama or buffalo
grass he says:
Grama or buffalo grass extends
throughout all the interior plains OF
the United States and into Canada and
Mexico. but seems not TO be found west
Of the Rockies or eastward beyond the
semiarid plains bordering the prairie
belt. extending from Minnesota to Tex
as In Montana IL Is confined strictly
to the plains in the eastern part of the
state, and Its general abundance I'm the
southeast and relative rarity toward
the north and west of this region
would seem to indicate a southeastern
origin and a relatively recent introduc-
buffalo. as II spreads very slowly and
has not yet occupied many lands of the
state to which 1t is perfectly adapted.
1t seems to be steadily displacing the
other grasses on the benches and up
lands wherever the ranges are closely
grazed and where 1t has secured an in
PRODUCTION. 1t spreads In every direc-
tion from a central tuft by creeping
root stocks, roofing as II goes. and thus
forms a deep turf crowned with short,
close set leaves. from which the fruit
Ing stems rise. SO that close grazing In
nowise Injuries the steady spread of the
plant or its healthy growth. Indeed 1t
even appears TO stool the more when
the leaves and fruiting stems are thus
cropped.
This grama grass has long been
known for its curing and fattening
qualities, and 1t will support more
stock to the acre than any other native
species. while 1t is perfectly hardy in
the driest situations and does fairly
well in the lower valleys where the
soil is not too moist. This and the blue
joint aptly supplement each other, the
latter doing well only in the moister
situations. This buffalo grass is the
grass for planting on the exhausted
ranges. as there is no other, native or
introduced, that can approach 1t in
the all round qualities needed for with
standing close grazing and arid situa-
tions and yet afford the best curing
and fattening qualities.