Photograph of range seeding. This 30 acres grew corn in 1948. To simplify fencing for management of adjacent rangeland, C. C. Buxton Jr. planted 10 pounds (20% PLS [Pure Live Seed]) of a bluestem mixture in April, 1949 on a clean, firm seedbed. Moved annual weeds twice in 1949 and once in 1950. Grazed moderately in the winter of 1950 and thereafter according to the Range Conservation Plan prepared jointly by Soil Conservation Service [SCS] and the owners. OK-261-6.

Photograph of a prairie site in excellent condition. Condition class “Excellent” as graded by the Soil Conservation Service’s range standards. Climax grasses account for 85% of the range: Little bluestem, Indian grass, switch grass and Big bluestem. 5% is legumes: Trailing lespedeza, slender lespedeza, white prairie clover, and catclaw sensitive-briar. 5% is forb cultivation: Pitcher’s sage, Fringe-leaf ruellia and heath aster. 5% being all other annuals. OK-261-4.

Photograph of uniform grazing. In an area of underused range grasses, Mr. D.L. Stanford drills a wall, installs a freeze-proof pump, a pipe to a water tank, with overflow pipe taking surplus water to an earthen tank for emergency resevoir, thus aiding uniform use according to Conservation Plan. OK-261-12.

Photograph of brush control. 1 pound of 2-4-5T herbicide in 5 gallons of diesel oil, first sprayed in April, 1955. This shown here is a respray performed in May, 1955. Persimmon are very erratic, with the respray often needed. Velton Stanford is giving the second “shot,” so bluestem grass can find a place to grow. OK-262-6.

Photograph of R. G. Spears planting seeding bermuda grass.

Photograph of R. G. Spears planting seeding bermuda grass.

Photograph of uniform grazing. Close-up of an inlet, overflow and storage pond below tank. Velton Stanford, son and partner at the inlet. Neal Stidham, Soil Conservation Service [SCS], present at the overflow with D. L. Stanford, the owner-operator. Usually operations feeding out 600 to 800 steers on 6500 acres of bluestem. Steer gains in normal years average 350 pounds each—full grain feeding on limestone prairie site in Good Condition class. OK-262-1.

Photograph of uniform grazing. Windmill and tank in the windmill-four-wire pasture. The overflow goes to the middle four-wire tank thence to the reserve earthen tank. Well drilled and water facilities developed to secure more even use in range grasses. District Conservation Plan also includes additional pond construction. OK-262-4.