180 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



and weight of the animals produced will in a few years make very 

 adequate returns on the investment. Moreover, the use of pure-bred 

 bulls, generally of one type, will lead to the fixation of a uniform 

 output of beef animals from the ranges, which will of course result 

 in better prices. The special rules regarding the placing of salt on 

 the ranges by agents of the stock association instead of through indi- 

 vidual effort has also greatly improved conditions. The salt is pur- 

 chased in large quantities, generally by carload lots, and placed 

 upon the ranges usually by contract, which makes both for economy . 

 and for much better distribution and more satisfactory conditions 

 both for range and stock than when each permittee handles the salt 

 for his own stock. 



The formation of live-stock associations and other cooperation 

 with the Service has materially assisted the grazing supervision of 

 the Forests, and has afforded small owners a more economical means 

 of handling their stock. 



FREE USE OF RANGE. 



The numbers of live stock allowed free use of the National Forest 

 ranges continue to increase. The regulations allow the free grazing 

 of 10 head of any kind of domestic animals kept for the use of the 

 settler's family. Free grazing for a number of stock belonging to 

 various Indians residing in or adjacent to the National Forests has 

 been continued as a matter of encouragement to self-support. Further 

 withdrawals of areas from grazing in order to protect the sources of 

 water supply for towns and cities in or near the Forests have been 

 made ; and in a few of the Forests grazing is either prohibited or 

 restricted upon large areas for the purpose of protecting the game 

 animals. The total area devoted to the above-mentioned purposes 

 is increasing, with corresponding reduction of the area available for 

 grazing under pay permits. 



GRAZING IN THE APPALACHIAN REGION. 



Grazing conditions upon the eastern purchase areas on which title 

 to the lands has passed to the Federal Government continue to im- 

 prove, and it is evident that wherever the grazing of live stock on 

 these areas is compatible with the purposes for which they were 

 created National Forests their use for grazing will be of material 

 benefit to the farmers in their vicinity. 



DESTRUCTIQN OF PREDATORY ANIMALS. 



The work, which is conducted by the Bureau of Biological Survey 

 in cooperation with the Forest Service, has been continued by the 

 officers of that bureau with gratifying success, and the depreda- 

 tions of predatory animals upon the flocks and herds of the local 

 stockmen has been appreciably decreased. The Biological Survey, 

 besides employing hunters of its own, furnishes traps, ammunition, 

 and poison to forest officers, who devote such time to this work as 



