The Sidney herald., 1961-04-26

the best range species. Other
reasons r lack of moisture, low
soil fertility and too much COM
petition in unprepared seed beds
from unproductive plants that
replaced the original native cover.
Until we get a seed supply of
the adapted native species that
originally grew on the range, we
can only seed permanent - or
more correctly semi-permanent
pastures using the best introduced
grasses and legumes available.
Seeded Semi4permanent pas
lures are not the same as re-
seeded range, but they have much
value on our more productive
pasture lands - lands that will
stand cultivation once every five
or ten years.
The best insurance against
having native range deteriorate is
to keep the native perennial plants
in vigorous, productive condition.
Through proper grazing manage
ment which gives the range grass
eS an occasional rest, this becomes
almost automatic.
MANAGEMENT OF NATIVE
RANGE
AS indicated in the above item,
proper management is all-impor-
tant in keeping native range in
good condition. With approximate
ly tWo-thirdS of our land area in
Richland County in native range,
it is indeed all-important that
ranchers take proper care of this
all-lmportant resource for SuS-
tanned livestock production and
income.
Research conducted by Montana
State College and other expert
ment stations has proven that
proper management produces
more pounds of livestock over a
longtime period. Below are four
sound range practices that range
researchers recommend.
l. Do not overgraze. "Take half
and leave half" of each years
growth works well on large pas
lures. Help small pastures by
giving them a complete rest
during part of each growing
season. Do this by dividing them
into two or more pastures and
grazing them in rotation.
2. Craze livestock during the
season that favorS the grasses you
want to increase. Holding off on
grazing in spring and early sum-
mer favors the cool and mid
season grasses of the native
prairie, allowing them to produce
seed and to gather root strength.
You can do this by grazing cool
season introduced pasture grasses
such as crested wheatgrass and
bromegrass in May and June. 1t
also pays to give your pasture an
occasional rest from grazing
throughout the growing season.
3. Keep animals as evenly dis
tributed as possible. Locate water
and salt places to spread grazing
uniformly. Cross fences may be
needed for uniform grazing. as
well as to give pastures a rest.
4. Keep a reserve supply of feed
to help prevent damage to pas
lures during drought periods
Some of this reserve" may be
ungrazed grass and some may he
stored silage, hay and other feeds
CARE IN PLANTING TREE
SEEDLINGS
Many residents in both rura
and city areas are now receiving
nursery stock for planting. Much
of the success with your planting
depends on how you take care o
the tree seedlings from the time
they arrive until you get them IL
the ground. The most importan
thing is to keep the Seeding,
moist from the time you receive
them until they are planted. 4
good root system is essential, anS
unless proper r is taken thu
4 roots dry out rapidly and ar
injured.
HorticulturiStS recommen
watering the seedlings as soon a
YOU get them and then planting
as soon as possible. However, j
you can't plant right away, stor
the seedlings in a cool place ans
keep them moist. Stored in thi
way, they will keep for Severa