Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

Photograph of pasture management. Pasture has been cleared and seeded to 100 pounds of lespedeza and 20% of dallisgrass. Original cover consisted of sweet gum, blackberry briars and a few pine and persimmon but none of much economic value. Slope 0 to 2%. No erosion apparent. LA-10, 273-B.
Date: April 5, 1937
Creator: unknown
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Contour Farming

Photograph of farm planning. Engineers check an old terrace channel to see if it is run properly. LA-D3-3.
Date: May 29, 1939
Creator: unknown
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

Photograph of the W.R. and Joseph B. Cutrer Ranch showing improved pasture on an old cultivated field. In the spring of 1943 increased milk production from 30 dairy cattle on pasture was worth more than $17 per acre. They expected to harvest at least 100 pounds of clover seed per acre. Daily milk production from 30 cows increased from 275 pounds per day to 650 pounds per day when cows were placed on 24 acres of clover pasture in the spring of 1942. Treatment: 2 tons lime per acre, 700 pounds basic slag per acre and seeding of 10 pounds of a mixture of equal parts of hop, white, Dutch and Persian clover per acre, plus 10 pounds of Dallis grass per acre. Soil type, Kalmia, very fine sandy loam, above “B.” LA-D7-1.
Date: May 18, 1942
Creator: Webb, Gordon
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

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.
Date: April 15, 1943
Creator: Webb, C. G.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

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.
Date: April 16, 1943
Creator: Webb, Gordon
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

An UNIDENTIFIED Man Surveying a Drainage Ditch

Photograph of an UNIDENTIFIED man surveying a drainage ditch, also known as the Abney-Huey Project. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Looking upstream along drainage ditch known as Abney-Huey Project. Rod and chain show depth and shape of section, about 3 ft. deep with 3-1 sides and V bottom."
Date: May 12, 1943
Creator: unknown
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Two UNIDENTIFED Men Surveying the Huey-McNair Project Drainage Ditch

Photograph of two UNIDENTIFED men, one of them looking upstream, surveying the drainage ditch known as the Huey-McNair Project. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Looking upstream along drainage ditch known as Huey-McNair Project. Rod shows depth in this 9 foot cut. Side slopes are 2-1, the bottom width is 3 feet. Road on right will be graded down by Parish. Ditch crosses road in the background."
Date: May 15, 1943
Creator: unknown
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

R.T. Douglas on his Post Flooded Field

Photograph of R. T. Douglas and his field. The back of the photograph proclaims, “Pig weeds grow on fertile land where I planted corn twice this year,” says R. T. Douglas. “My fist planting washed out and the second planting had just started growing when this field was flooded a second time, I’ve got about 75 acres on which there will be a total crop loss this year. If my new drainage system had been completed in time I expect I’d have made 40 bushels of corner per acre here from the first planting.”
Date: July 15, 1943
Creator: Jenkins, E. W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Original Condition of Ditch No. 1 on W. T. Carpenter’s Farm

Photograph of J. D. Hayes showing the original condition of Ditch no. 1 on W. T. Carpenter's farm near Bastrop at station 11400. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Shows original condition on W. T. Carpenter farm, Ditch No. 1 near Bastrop at Station 11400. Shot is south across site of the main ditch at a point where two laterals will enter. J. D. Hayes, Conservation Aid, is standing in water across the old ditch. First of series."
Date: March 29, 1944
Creator: Hogan, John H.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

An UNIDENTIFIED Man Standing in the Channel of Main Drainage Ditch #1 at Station 1 & 25 After Removal of Stumps and Completion of Dragline Operations

Photograph of an UNIDENTIFIED man standing in the channel of Main Drainage Ditch #1 at Station 1 & 25 after removal of stumps and completion of dragline operations. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Channel of Main Drainage Ditch #1 at Station 1 & 25 after removal of stumps and completion of dragline operations. Outlet is Bayou Chenin-A-Haut. Ditch drains almost 175 acres of cultivated land, and about 10 acres of woodland pasture. Approximately 40 acres, which has been out of cultivation for years due to poor drainage is now being brought back into production."
Date: July 22, 1944
Creator: Jenkins, E. W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Livestock

Photograph of an experimental beef herd: one-fourth Braham and three-fourth Aberdeen Angus. Both on excellent clover pasture. Pasture seeded to 10 pounds of white clover with 2 bushels of oats, second year clover. The estimated carrying capacity is 1 1/2 to 2 animal units per acre for 90 days during the spring growing season. LA-D11-66.
Date: March 10, 1945
Creator: Brown, Grover
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

High Die Plantation Drainage Ditch

Photograph of a newly constructed main drainage channel on the High Die Plantation looking eastward. The back of the photograph proclaims, "(Looking east down main ditch at crossing north of Nick's home.) Channel of newly constructed main drainage ditch. Dirt was too wet to allow spoil banks to be spread when ditch was dug, but this will be done as soon as conditions permit. With the completion of the drainage system, now under construction, the entire woodland area in background will be cleared and devoted to improved pasture. Before the drainage system was started, this woodland area was so marshy that it could not even be cleared and was producing nothing. Forty idle acres will be put back into production and on another 50 acres production will be increased about f percent, says R. L. Hicks, farm manager."
Date: March 12, 1945
Creator: Jenkins, Elvin W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

UNIDENTIFED Man cultivating Ditch Bank Prior to Seeding Bermuda

Photograph of a UNIDENTIFED man using a farm tractor and disk to cultivate ditch bank prior to seeding Bermudagrass seed. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Farm tractor and disk cultivating ditch bank prior to seeding Bermuda seed. Ditch was constructed in spring of 1943 and vegetation was not established. Side slopes 3 to 1."
Date: March 13, 1945
Creator: Breeden, A. A.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

H. G. Sudbury and Soil Conservation Service Technician, J. K. Livingston, Standing Next to the Main Ditch of a New Drainage system While Inspecting the Location of a Proposed Lateral Ditch

Photograph of H. G. Sudbury, owner, and Soil Conservation Service technician, J. K. Livingston standing next to the main ditch of a new drainage system while simultaneously inspecting the location of a proposed lateral ditch. People shown in photo go as followed from left to right: 1. H. G. Sudbury, 2. J. K. Livingston. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Main Ditch of New Drainage System. This section completed August 1944, and spoil banks were spread with bulldozer. H. G. Sudbury, owner, and Soil Conservation Service technician, J. K. Livingston, right, inspect location of proposed lateral ditch."
Date: March 14, 1945
Creator: Jenkins, Elvin W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Two UNIDENTIFED Men Standing on the Bank of a New Drainage Ditch

Photograph of two UNIDENTIFED men standing on the bank of a new drainage ditch constructed with a dragline, spoils bank spread with a bulldozer, and fields planted with white Dutch clover, oats, and singletary peas. The back of the photograph proclaims, "New drainage ditch constructed with dragline in August 1944, Spoil banks were spread with bulldozer. Adjoining area on left is in white Dutch clover; on right oats and Singletary peas. Entire area is surrounded by and electric fence. Ditch has been carrying water since first winter rains fell in 1944."
Date: March 14, 1945
Creator: Jenkins, Elvin W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Trees, Tree Farms, Woodlands, and Forests

Photograph of a seed tree surrounded by young pines. All areas in this section not despoiled by people will become reforested this summer. LA-D8-10.
Date: April 18, 1945
Creator: Spencer, Don
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Trees, Tree Farms, Woodlands, and Forests

Photograph of seed tree surrounded by young pines. All areas in this section, not harmed by human activity, will become reforested in this manner. LA-D8-10.
Date: April 18, 1945
Creator: Spencer, Don
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

Photograph of pasture improvement. In 1943 and 1944, one ton of lime and 250 pounds per acre of super-phosphate were applied each yearf. Hop, Persian and white Dutch clover were seeded on old Bermuda grass pasture in 1943 and since that time considerable Dallis grass has volunteered. The 30 acre pasture is now carrying 2 cows per acre year round. Soil Conservation Service technicians Hal E. Townsend, left, and J. V. Rabb, right.
Date: April 24, 1946
Creator: Jenkins, Elvin W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Water Conservation; Water Erosion; Flooding and Prevention

Photograph of a one year old fenced farm pond with sodded dam and spillway. Pond is stocked with fish and fertilized regularly.
Date: April 24, 1946
Creator: Jenkins, Elvin W.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Idle Land and Crop Loss Caused By Inadequate Drainage

Photograph of Mr. Knotts looking over a large area of corn drowned out, caused by ineffective drainage system. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Idle land and crop loss, Inadequate Drainage. Mr. Knoots [sic] looking over a large area of corn drowned out, caused by ineffective drainage system. Water from recent heavy rains remains on the land too long. Note: Idle land on left side of photo that was not planted due to excessive moisture resulting from improper drainage."
Date: July 6, 1946
Creator: Willis, T. H.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Farming Equipment and Methods

Photograph of a Mr. Rushing on a tractor clearing Mr. Row Sibley’s land for improved pasture. LA-61231.
Date: April 28, 1947
Creator: Clancy, Wandalea
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

UNIDENTIFED Man Standing in a Shallow Split Ditch

Photograph of an UNIDENTIFED man standing in a shallow split ditch. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Land crown to center of oats using a shallow V as split ditch. Looking South on first split ditch south of quarters on west road through plantation."
Date: August 4, 1947
Creator: Maier, Emile A.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Water Conservation; Water Erosion; Flooding and Prevention

Photograph of the moving of a main drainage ditch. This ditch is part of a complete conservation system on 650 acres of cropland which recently has helped get 140 acres in crop production which previously have been too wet to handle. H. Philip Wample says he would have lost 175 acres of corn this spring withou the system. LA-61, 360.
Date: October 22, 1947
Creator: Reid, Louis E.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History

Two UNIDENTIFED Men Looking At a Pump-Off System

Photograph of two UNIDENTIFED men looking at a pump-off system, which drains wet lands and empties the water into a nearby canal. The back of the photograph proclaims, "Pump-off system which drains a number of wet acres empties water in the canal at the right."
Date: February 16, 1948
Creator: Reid, Louis E.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History