The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-03-11
GRAZING LANDS
The Government Is Trying to Re.
claim Them
IN WESTERN STATES
Experimental Work That is Being
Done to Bring About Reseeding
of Rance Areas

are being seriously damaged by exces
sive and unrestrained use. A band of
sheep in grazing destroys much more
grass by trampling than it eats, and
constant overgrazing has ruined
thousands of acres of the best grass
lands. The effects of unrestricted OF
ill-directed grazing not only lessons
production of forage for one or two
seasons, but the carrying capacity OF
the range is permanently impaired
Worn-out acres quickly spring up to
worthless or noxious growths which
spread and supersede the natural
range cover. Large areas are some
times so barred by destructive over
grazing that they become practically
barren wastes.
The Forest Service and the Bureau
of Plant Industry, of the q. S. De,
partment of Agriculture, have cooper
ated in series of experiments looking
toward the artificial reseeding OF por-
tions of grazing lands with cultivated
grasses, and studies are being carried
on to find out how overgrazed areas
can be reseeded naturally, and how
the carrying capacity of the range can
be increased through notifications OF
the present methods of handling stock.
Much of the grazing land included in
the National forests was comparatively
unproductive as a result of unrestrict-
ed grazing before it came under Forest
Service control. Since that time it is
estimated that the efficiency of these
lands has been increased 30 per cent
merely by the prevention of misuse.
This represents but the beginning OF
the good which will result from the
experiments and studies already start
ed.
The Wallowa formerly the Imnaha)
National Forest, in eastern Oregon,
was chosen for the first experiments
because it afforded prime test condi-
tions and was in need of early atten-
tion.' This Forest contains about
IA, 900 acres, of which approximately
soc, 900 acres, because of it's irregular,
broken surface, are given over to
sheep grazing. The balance is used
for the grazing of cattle. Owing to
the wide range of altitude and of to-
biography, the grazing areas are natur'
ally divided into a number of rather
distinct zones of vegetation, and each
presents problems of it's own. Because
of these conditions the results OF this
experimental work should prove ex'
tremely valuable to stockmen in many
sections, presenting as they do solu'
tions, so far as the work has progress
ed at this time, of many range prob
lens.
The object of the initial experiments
has been to bring about the natural
reseeding of range areas without with
drawing them, except temporarily
from use. This involves studies ofthe
towering and maturity of range plants
the termination of seeds, and the de-
structive effect of tramplingb by stock
The results of the first of these
studies and experiments are contained
in preliminary report entitled ''The
Revegetation of Overgrazed Range
Areas" issued by the Forest Service
as circular 15S. Copies may be had by
persons interested on application tc
to the Forest Service, U. S. Depart
ment of Agriculture, Washinrton ID. c.
In addition to the above preliminary
report, there has previously been is
sued by the Forest Service a progress
report on another phase of these in
vestigations, namely, an experiment
in coyote-proof pastures, published as
Circular l56, which may also be OBJ
tanned on application to the Forest
Service.