910 



AMERICAN FORESTRY 



the southern end of the area is so devoid of forage 

 suitable for horses that practically nothing can live 

 there except sheep and that during the past sea- 

 son the sheep themselves were forced to eat grasses and 

 plants that they are never known to eat except in ex- 

 treme cases. The actual effect of the destruction of the 

 timber and of the overgrazing is already noticeable. On 

 one important stream the high water period is at least 

 one month earlier than on streams in the National For- 

 ests, under precisely similar conditions, where the water- 

 sheds are protected. 



It is not yet too late to save the Thunder Mountain 

 country and to make it a source of wealth and general 

 public benefit to the State of Idaho and to the country. 

 There is still upon this great area an aggregate of 

 between two and three billion feet of timber; and while 

 •the timber is comparatively much less accessible than 

 a great deal of other timber owned by the public and 

 by private individuals, it will nevertheless ultimately be 

 of great importance. Its destruction would be a calamity. 

 When the National Forests were put under administra- 

 tion there were other areas which had been greatly over- 

 grazed. The placing of the Thunder Mountain region 

 under strict grazing regulations would make it possible 

 within a few years to begin the restoration of the natural 

 grass cover, which, together with the forest, is indispens- 

 able to the protection of the watershed. The development 

 of the great mineral resources of this region is hopelessly 

 blocked until the area is incorporated into a National 

 Forest system so that roads can be built. The protec- 

 tion of the forests, the regulation of the grazing, and the 

 building of trails and other improvements would set 

 in motion a progressive development of the region 



I'IRK SWEPT ARE.\ 



Fully 300,000 acres of forest has been burned and the public has lost timber having an approximate 



furnf,h f,w f^". =hh' ■"'",''?""'■ J'l" ''"f, "-".^ ^'='"<1 ^p' => 'i™^ after a fire, th?n are blown dow 

 lurnish tucl for additional fires, which finally wipe out all tree growth. 



PICTURESQUE WHITE-BARK PINE 



The white-bark pine grows on precipitous slopes and is of value in hold- 

 ing the soil. It often assumes a most picturesque form. 



in contrast to the present pro- 

 gressive devastation. 



There is but little land suited 

 to agriculture. There are a few 

 farm homesteads, but so far it 

 has been possible for home- 

 steaders to clear and put into 

 cultivation only slightly over 

 400 acres. It is believed by care- 

 ful observers that there is prob- 

 ably not more than an aggre- 

 gate of 4,000 to 5.000 acres 

 which could be farmed. These 

 lands occur in scattered patches. 

 It is certain that there will be 

 little development of them until 

 tiic mines and other resources 

 can be opened up in such a way 

 as is possible under the National 

 Forest system. 



Not to be overlooked among 

 the resources is the wild life 

 which abounds in this region. 

 Game is plentiful and there are 

 reported to be many mountain 



value 

 wn and 



