172 



ANNUAL REPORTS OP DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



There were 61,448 head of cattle and horses and 3,626,821 head of 

 sheep and goats driven across the Forests, a reduction of 12 per cent 

 and 17 per cent, respectively. The crossing permits issued dropped 

 from 2,385 to 1,867, or 21 per cent. 



The receipts from grazing fees, $1,124,677.44, was an increase of 

 $127,094.97 over 1914, due jDartly to the increase made in the fees 

 charged for the grazing of cattle and horses and partly to the 

 increased number of the former. Notwithstanding that 1,160,854 

 acres were eliminated from the Forests, including some of the best 

 grazing lands, the ranges carried as much stock as heretofore. This 

 was due partly to the development of new range, partly to improved 

 methods of use. These improved methods have increased not only 

 the carrying capacity of the range but also the weight of the stock. 

 Further increase through improved methods of management may 

 be expected to amount to 15 per cent. 



The number of live-stock associations cooperating with the Forest 

 Service at the end of the fiscal year was 226. This was an increase 

 of 60, or 36 per cent. The desire on the part of the stockmen to be 

 thus recognized by the Forest Service further emphasizes their 

 general satisfaction with the grazing administration. Their coop- 

 eration has been very beneficial to the Service in working out many 

 grazing problems, and has likewise been of material benefit to the 

 live-stock industry. 



FREE "USE OF RANGE. 



A very considerable amount of range that could be used for paid 

 grazing is employed in various nonrevenue-producing ways for 

 public and semipublic purposes. These include the free use of range 

 allowed settlers, up to 10 head of domestic, milk, or work stock; 

 free use by Indian stock; use as sources of water supply of towns 

 and cities, with resultant prohibition or restriction of grazing; use 

 as game preserves with restriction or prohibition of grazing to pro- 

 vide game animals with sufficient food supply ; free use of areas set 

 aside to enable campers and travelers to find grass for their animals 

 while passing through the Forests; and free use by stock passing 

 through on established driveways or special routes. 



The following table shows the acreage of Forest lands thus used, 

 and their revenue-producing capacity if they were used for paid 

 grazing : 



TJse of grazing lands in National Forests for nonrevenue-producing purposes, 



season of 1915. 



Form of use. 



Grazing milk and work stock 

 Town and city watersheds . . , 



Game preserves 



Tonrist areas 



Driveways 



Total 



Acres. 



2,664,027 

 952, 260 



1,424,840 

 282,612 

 905,116 



Carrying 

 capacitv 

 (cattle.) I 



6, 228, 855 



124,899 

 40,385 

 75,679 

 21,009 



657,213 



919, 185 



Revenue 

 obtainable 

 if grazed. 



S.59,491.32 



15,829.90 



20, 799. 66 



7,885.05 



19,501.55 



123, 507. 48 



I Sheep range figured on basis of 4 sheep as the equivalent of 1 cow. 



