FOREST SERVICE. 227 



is to grazing administration what the soil expert is to crop production, 

 and more. He must know the species of vegetation most suitable 

 to each locality and the class of stock which can be most economically 

 produced on dependent range or farm lands; he must know the 

 species of vegetation from which the greatest production of meat 

 and wool can be derived; he must know when a forage crop can be 

 harvested by grazing without injury to its permanency; he must 

 develop methods of management suitable to the locality; and he 

 must be able to work in harmony with stockmen and secure the 

 adoption of such practices as will best meet the needs of both range 

 and ranch property. 



The results secured by the Forest Service with a limited number 

 of these men during the past few years have fully demonstrated 

 what can be done to meet the change in economic conditions. 

 Many practical stockmen are beginning to employ this class of men 

 in place of men whose sole qualification is the ability to ride a horse 

 and rope a steer. The change, of course, is gradual, but it is placing 

 ran^e live-stock production on a higher level as a rationally conducted 

 busmess. Western colleges have recognized the trend of the industry 

 in the West, anil are establishing courses in range management. 

 There is urgent need on the national forests for more men trained 

 along this line. 



The need for intensive experiments and investigations to obtain 

 additional knowledge in the light of which efficient use of the range 

 can be still more fully brought about is discussed in the section of 

 this report devoted to grazing studies. 



RECREATION AND GAME. 



Motors and good roads have combined to effect a radical change 

 in the outdoor recreation habits of the American people. Vacation 

 time is now a period of free movement, nomadic enjoyment of widely 

 separated scenes, and of simple living in the open. Rich in scenic 

 beauty and natural charm and offering the primitive attractions of 

 the wilderness, the national forests afford an incomparable field for 

 the indulgence of this wholesome tendency toward rational play 

 and physical improvement. Within their limits travelers by motors, 

 by wagon, on horseback, or on foot, campers, hunters, and fishermen, 

 amateur photographers, mountaineers, berry pickers, naturalists, 

 and everybody else who wishes to come have equal opportunity. 

 Care A^-ith fire and cleanliness in camp are the only requirements 

 imposed upon their sojourn. 



The wide distribution and extent of the national forests and their 

 proximity to thousands of cities and communities make them natural 

 centers of summer recreation, particularly for the masses of people 

 whose vacation must be inexpensive. Between 5,000,000 and 

 7,000,000 people visit the forests each year. The discouragement of 

 recreational use of the forests would therefore be a distinct hardship, 

 and failure to devdop recreational possibilities would mean with- 

 holding a form of public service which, though intangible in value, 

 ranks in social and indeed economic importance with the timber, 

 forage, and water-power values of these properties. Public welfare 

 dictates an aggressive policy of ascertaining, developing, and offering 

 the recreational opportunities in the national forests. 



