Photograph of cotton being irrigated with row irrigation system from syphons moving water from ditch to cotton rows are 1.5 inch. The back of the photograph proclaims, “Irrigation (cotton). Cotton being irrigated with row irrigation system. Syphons moving water from ditch to cotton rows are 1.5 inch. This is the third year irrigation for this land. The cotton is following hairy vetch which was planted in maise [sic] stalks. Estimated cotton yield is 2 bales per acre. The irrigation system was laid out by the SCS.”

Photograph of core trench cut to finished grade, looking northeast from Sta. 33+00 C/L dam.

Photograph of weeping lovegrass. Weeping lovegrass pasture on Claude Gilbert farm as seeded in the spring of 1955. Gilbert sold the weeping lovegrass and has seeded 80 acres in the past 4 years. Soil Conservation Service {SCS] program started on this farm in 1952. OK-401-6.

Photograph of native grasses. Range seeded to native grass mixture of: little blue stem, blue grama and buffalo grass in March, 1951 on a well-prepared seed bed with an Easy-Flow planter. Planted on Class VII land, soil unit # 6 in an old cultivated field. This grass has had no fertilizer and has had little grazing due to low rainfall conditions. Grass has been grazed according to its capabilities. Old cultivated land was converted to grass to conserve soil on this Class VII and Class III land from further erosion. OK-363-9.

Photograph of King Ranch Bluestem. A King Ranch bluestem planting made in 1954. This grass was planted at the rate of 4 pounds per acre with an easy flow planter and fertilizer. It was planted on Class III land, soil unit 6 and will be used for grazing. OK-363-4.

Photograph of native grass. Mixture of bluestem grass seeded in January 1952 on a well-prepared seed bed, seeded with an easy flow seeder. Grass was seeded at the rate of 10 pounds per acre. Has had light grazing. Owner, John E. Guest, cut 340 bales of hay from this 20 acres in 1955. Grass was seeded in Class VII land soil unit # 6, old cultivated land. Grass has had no fertilizer and is in good condition. Owner plans to return most of hi sland to native grass. OK-383-5.

Photograph of individual plants of Sorghum Almum, a new drought-resistant, warm-season, perennial, tall and luxuriant bunch grass under observation by the Soil Conservation Service [SCS]. The plant being shown by Hervie E. Skelley and son, Gomer, came from one seed planted 2 1/2 months previously (on June 15, 1956) with less than 3 inches of rainfall. Single plants have up to 53 stalks in this field. OK-374-2.

Photograph of a single plant of Sorghum Almum, a perennial, warm season, drought resistant grass being introduced into OK. The grass was planted on June 15, 1956. Two months and 14 days later, after a very dry growing season, the seed stalks reached 7 feet in height and developed a bunch more than a foot wide at the bottom. New shoots are being put out continually. The Soil Conservation Service [SCS] is watching the planting to see if the grass is acclimated to western OK. OK-373-8.

Photograph of R.E. Skelley (right), his son Hervie E. (center) and grandson, Gomer Skelley (left) in a field of Sorghum Almum, a new drought-resistant, warm seson perrenial, tall bunchgrass being tried in western Oklahoma, under the observation of the Soil Conservation Service [SCS] technicians. Plantings are 2.5 months old with less than 3 inches of rainfall since initial planting. OK-373-11.

Photograph of sorghum almum, a newly-introduced perennial grass from New Zealand in one of two trial field plantings in Okahoma. Soil Conservation Service [SCS] field men are studying the grass to determine its suitability in semi-arid western Oklahoma. In the picture, L to R: Gomer Skelley, Hervie E. Skelley and R.E. Skelley, a 3 generation partnership. OK-373-6.

Photograph of a three-generation partnership of R.E. Skelley (right), his son, Hervie E. (center) and Grandson, Gomer (left), in a field of Sorghum Almum which they are pioneering in introducing into OK in consultation with Soil Conservation Service [SCS] personnel. OK-373-7.

Photograph of a close-up shot of a partially killed bindweed plant area in a wheat field sprayed with 2-4-5T in the spring of 1956. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Close-up of bindweed area in wheat field sprayed with 2-4-5T in the spring of 1956 received only partial kill. This weed is a very rapid spreader and will cover large areas in a short time if it is not controlled. It is resistant to poisons and needs constant tillage. It will kill out other vegetation as it increases."

Photograph of a partially killed bindweed plant spot in a wheat field sprayed with 2-4-5T in the spring of 1956. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Bindweed spot in wheatfield [sic] sprayed with 2-4-5T in the spring of 1956 received only partial kill. This weed is a very rapid spreader and will cover large areas in a short time if it is not controlled. It is resistant to poisons and needs constant tillage. It will kill out other vegetation as it increases."

Photograph of a close-up shot of a bindweed plant area at the edge of a wheat field. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Close-up of bindweed area at the edge of a wheat field. This area is uncontrolled and is in excellent condition. It is in a low spot where it receives enough moisture to encourage growth. If not controlled it will spread rapidly into the adjoining wheat field and cause much damage to the wheat. It is resistant to poisons and needs constant tillage. It will kill out other vegetation as it increases."

Photograph of "Harold Manning and I. L. Steward showing the 24" depth of sub-soiling and how it has broken the land so that water may enter on his farm." People shown in photo go as followed from left to right: 1. I. L. Steward, 2. Harold Manning.

Photograph of "I. L. Steward showing a type chisel that he used to subsoil 100 acres of land – fall 1955."

Photograph of "Harold Manning and I. L. Steward discussing condition of soil that has been subsoiled; note fracture of soil." People shown in photo go as followed from left to right: 1. I. L. Steward, 2. Harold Manning.

Photograph of Roland Lee, WUC, standing in a field nine miles west of Shawnee. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Watershed Treatment. Roland Lee, WUC, in 1951 developed a plan between the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee SCD to treat the City Lake watershed to control erosion and reduce the silt load of streams feeding the lake. Waster was diverted from this active gully on Class VII land, and it was seeded to mixed native grass. No longer is this a critical silt contributing area. Native grass now making seed, and, in addition to erosion control, it is an excellent wildlife habitat. This conservation treatment program now saves the City of Shawnee man dollars annually."

Photograph of Roland Lee, WUC, standing in a field nine miles west of Shawnee. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Watershed Treatment. Roland Lee, WUC, in 1951 developed a plan between the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee SCD to treat the City Lake watershed to control erosion and reduce the silt load of streams feeding the lake. Waster was diverted from this active gully on Class VII land, and it was seeded to mixed native grass. No longer is this a critical silt contributing area. Native grass now making seed, and, in addition to erosion control, it is an excellent wildlife habitat. This conservation treatment program now saves the City of Shawnee man dollars annually."

Photograph of M. D. Gamble, Agronomist, SCS, looking at native grasses established on flood plain area to reduce silt load of water going into the Shawnee City Lake. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Watershed Treatment. Roland Lee, WUC, in 1951 developed a plan between the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee SCS to treat the City Lake watershed to control erosion and reduce the silt load of streams feeding the lake. M. D. Gamble, Agronomist, SCS, looking at native grasses established on flood plain area to reduce silt load of water going into the Shawnee City Lake. This grass is now making a good seed crop, controlling erosion, and furnishing food and cover for wildlife. This are is also protected from fire and grazing. The application of this Soil Conservation District plan is now saving the City of Shawnee many dollars on water filtration and guarantees storage capacity of the water system for many years to come."

Photograph of M. D. Gamble, Agronomist, SCS, checking the conservation treatment of a large, once active gully nine miles west of Shawnee. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Watershed Treatment. Roland Lee, UWC [sic], in 1951 developed a plan between the City of Shawnee and the Shawnee SCD to treat the City Lake Watershed to control erosion and reduce the silt load of streams feeding the lake. M. D. Gamble, Agronomist, SCS, checks conservation treatment of this large, once active gully. Water was diverted from gully and it was seeded to mixed native grass. The grass is now making a good seed crop, controlling erosion and furnishing food and cover for wildlife. This area is also protected from fire and grazing. The application of the Soil Conservation District Plan is now saving the City of Shawnee many dollars on water filtration and guarantees storage capacity of this water system for many years to come."

Photograph of Mr. Lee, who is standing in a gully, pointing out the slow growth and absence of vegetation when left to natural means. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Watershed Treatment. Roland Lee, WUC, in 1951 developed a plan between the City of Shawnee and the local SCD for conservation treatment of the City Lake watershed to control erosion and reduce silt load of streams feeding City Lake. Water was diverted from this active gully on Class VII land. This gully was not seeded. Mr. Lee points out the slow growth and absence of vegetation when left to natural means. Note recovery of native grass between gullies resuflting [sic] from deferred grazing and protection of fire."

Photograph of two herds of cattle watering from a large, sectioned stockwater pond. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Cattle coming in for water in farm pond. This pond has been fenced into 2 sections so it may be used by cattle in both pastures of a 2 pasture grazing rotation system. In addition to native grass the cattle on this range get 5 pounds of cake per day. Steers are bought in and fed out in addition to the steers raised from the basic heard [sic]."

Photograph of an irrigation pumping installation on sand pit, which its' water is used for cotton irrigation. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Irrigation. Pumping installation on sand pit. Water used for irrigation of cotton. Quantity that can be pumped is unlimited."