Photograph of a huge roadside gully caused by run-off from improperly constructed terrace & unprotected outlets and outlet channels.

Photograph of Kudzu for erosion control on bank of North Canadian River. Crews were set out by CCC in 1940.

Photograph of Kudzu for erosion control on bank of North Canadian River. Crews were set out by CCC in 1940.

Photograph of a huge roadside gully caused by run-off from improperly constructed terrace and unprotected outlets and outlet channels. OK-8673.

Photograph of a roadside gully on the left destroying a fence, on the right the fence has been moved back, the roadside resectioned, and set to Bermuda grass. OK-6906.

Photograph of a huge roadside gully caused by run-off from improperly constructed terrace and unprotected outlets and outlet channels. OK-8673.

Photograph of a grass drill developed at Woodward, showing special seeder boxes mounted for seeding small-seeded spices such as Eragrostis curvula [aka: weeping lovegrass] and Eragrostis trichodes [aka: sand lovegrass] and naked caryopses [aka: grains] of some larger-seeded species. OK-8714.

Photograph of standard street sweeping equipment that was successfully used to harvest Buffalo grass seed. The sweeper brush is raised and the collector pan—ahead of the brush and not showing—would be in the dummy position. The machine was put to work on a golf course to collect the seed needed for reinvigorating and Oklahoma military airfield. Tarpaulins were placed on each side of the fairway and the collector of seed, trash and grass was dumped on the tarpaulins and then sacked. The golf course was undamaged. One experienced seed collector estimated that at least 95% of all seed on the ground was collected. Sampling indicated that 30 % of the clean seed were collected per hour at a cost of less than 50 cents per hour. Total seed collection was about 1500 pounds. OK-8679.

Photograph of harvesting hay from sericea lespedeza planted April 16, 1942. First cutting made June 4, 1943, realizing 15 tons from 16 acres. OK-8566

Photograph of Blaine Bottom from Sansbois Creek Bridge 3.5 miles east and 4.5 miles north of Keota, Oklahoma. Flood waters 3 to 6 feet over the high land in the Arkanasas River Valley. Note: Only the tops of the buildings above the water in the background. The flood water was 3.7 feet above any previous record for the past 100 years. OK-4/2405.

Photograph of J.B. Cutrer, left, and Dr. H.H. Bennett, chief of the USDA SCS, right, watching a young Guernsey cow enjoying a good meal of fine clovers in improved pastures established in the Fall of 1941 at a cost of approximately $17.00 per acre, not including labor. Cutrer says "When the herd was turned into pasture on April 23, 1942, our daily milk production ranged from 275 to 300 pounds. Two weeks later, milk production ranged from 600 o 625 pounds. Also saw a large savings in food. Cattle have grazed continuously except for a short time when taken off to all clovers and grass to reseed. Health of herd has also improved. Cows have no trouble at calving time." The Cutrers established their first improved pasture, 2 acres in 1939; in 1941, 22 acres were developed and in 1942, 35 acres were established. LA-D7-3.

Photograph of 4 rows of crotolaria for wind erosion control and soil improvement alternating with 8 rows of peanuts. Mr. J.R. Grydor, father of J.W. Grydor, examines the crotolaria seed crop. TX-41-307.

Photograph of W.A. Maples farm land. Wind strips on Contour. 4 rows of crotolaria alternating with 8 rows of peanuts on 20 acres of Texas field. Next year, Maples plans to use a 4-row strip with 2 rows of crotolaria on the outside of two rows of peas. Crop residue is from last year's strips of sorghum. Peanuts on the field last year yielded 24 bushels per acre. The 74 acre field is all planted on the contour and stripped for wind erosion. 30 acres are protected with 2 rows of peas plus a row of sorghum on each side; 5 acres with 4 row strips of peas; 19 acres with 4 row strips of sorghum; 20 acres with 4 row strips of of crotolaria. Peas and crotolaria were fertilized with 100 pounds super phospate per acre. TX-41-302.

Photograph of W.A. Maples farm land. Contour cultivation and wind strips for erosion control on peanut land. The four rows of sorghum planted alternately with 8 rows of peanuts were severely grazed and a slight amount of wind erosion is evident although it is not serious. Wind erosion control strips on peanut fields should not be grazed and tall growing vegetation should be left to afford the fullest possible protection to the sandy soils. TX-40-893-B.

Photograph of wind erosion control. 8 rows of sorghum alternating with 8 rows of peanuts in straight row wind strips. This field is part of a field trial in cooperation with Oklahoma A & M College [i.e., Oklahoma State University]. Following peanut harvest, two plots will be planted to rye and two left for check [i.e., test] plots. OK-8572

Photograph of wind erosion control. 8 rows of corn in wind strips alternating with 8 rows of peanuts. OK-8574.

Photograph of wind erosion control on peanut land. 8 rows of sorghum alternating with 12 rows of peanuts. OK-8573.

Photograph of beef cattle grazing 20 acres of improved Bermuda grass pasture. Mr. Gunn, in the picture, developed the pasture several years ago from an old cultivated field and said, “I have mowed the weeds twice a year for three years and I’ve about exterminated a heavy growth of broomweed that hampered the Bermuda’s growth. In 3 years of regular mowing my grazing capacity has increased from one animal unit [for every] 3 acres to one animal unit per acre, 8 months out of the year.” Each year he harrows in and spreads the manure dropped by grazing stock and said that the grass cover is still improving. TX-41, 230.

Photograph of pasture development and improvement. Beef cattle grazing Bermuda pastures overseeded to Dallis grass, yellow hop, black medic and white Dutch clovers. 15 acres cleared and sodded this year. Mr. Jeffus, the district supervisor in the picture says, “In 1937, I started clearing and retiring 216 acres for pasture. With assistance of CCC [Civilian Conservation Corps} we cleared 40 acres of small trees and heavy undergrowth and retired 176 acres of cultivated land that in 1936 had overflowed 13 times before I made a crop. This is rich bottomland that is capable of producing a bale of cotton or 40 bushels of corn per acre but wet seasons made yields uncertain. I’ve moved the pasture every year and it carries 108 head of cattle the year round with only a little hay to help through the winter. The land is worth more in pasture than it would be in cultivation even if I made a maximum crop every year. I believe regular moving has increased the carrying capacity of this pasture four times.” TX-41, 227.

Photograph of the Hills Brothers Ranch, Fairfield, Texas. A herd of registered polled Herefords grazing upon improved Bermuda and carpet grass pasture. A heavy growth of trees and underbrush was cleared from the area about 3 years ago and where the carrying capacity was about unit to 8 acres it is now 1 animal unit to 1½ acres. This pasture was not seeded after clearing but grazing has been controlled. “We had one 300-acre brush pasture that used to carry only about 35 head,” said Mr. Hill, “but now that it has been cleared and improved it will carry a cow to the acre.” See TX-41, 125 for area typical of this pasture before improvement. TX-41, 121.

Photograph of the J.L. Brock farm showing improved pasture. 25 cows, 6 yearlings and 11 calves are grazing on this 4-acre clover and Dallis grass pasture. These 42 animals have been alternated on two 4-acre pastures since December 20, 1942. LA-D7-17.

Photograph of pasture development and improvement. Beef cattle are grazing on Bermuda pasture overseeded to Dallis grass, yellow hop, black medic and white Dutch clovers. 15 acres cleared and sodded this year. Mr. J. L. Jeffus, the district supervisor in the picture, says “In 1937 I started clearing and retiring 216 acres for pasture. With the assistance of CCC [the Civilian Conservation Corps] we cleared 40 acres of small trees and heavy undergrowth and retired 176 acres of cultivated land that in 1936 had overflowed 13 times before I made a crop. This is rich bottomland that is capable of producing a bale of cotton or 40 bushels of corn per acre but wet seasons made yields uncertain. I’ve moved the pasture every year and it carries 108 head of cattle the year round with only a little hay to help through the winter. The land is worth more in pasture than it be in cultivation even if I made a maximum crop every year. I believe regular mowing has increased the carrying capacity of this pasture four times.” TX-41, 227.

Photograph of range management. A vigorous bunch of little bluestem grasses (Andropogon scoparius) on [unclear] soil. TX-41, 046.

Photograph of the harvesting of a mung bean crop planted at 20 pounds per acre on June 1, 1943. Farm planner Harold Welch (left) and Earl Tucker (right) farm owner, examine the crop. One field yielded 400 pounds per acre and the average yield on the entire 30 acres ranges from 312 to 315 pounds per acre. The beans followed a barley crop destroyed by green bugs and Tucker says he will follow the beans with wheat for pasture. “I have heard much about the soil-improving qualities of mung beans,” he said, “and I hope to work out a rotation with wheat.” The beans are selling at 5 cents per pound. OK-8580.