FOREST SERVICE. 515 



fined to the sapwood; and that check is limited ifi extent and blue 

 stain most severe in trees which retain their l)ark. Studies were 

 begun to ascertain the difference between the net log scale and net 

 lumber scale of fire-killed timber and to determine the effect of fire- 

 killed timber in the reduction of grades. 



Commercial tree studies of Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, western 

 yellow pine in Oregon, western red cedar, and sugar pine were com- 

 pleted during the year. These studies cover the growth, volume, and 

 yield of the tree and its utilization and life history. 



RANGE MANAGEMENT. 



Seven years of actual range administration has convincingly dem- 

 onstrated*^ the correctness of the fundamental principles upon which 

 it is based by tangible and striking results. A maximum of forage 

 production and a maximum of benefit to the stock industry and to 

 the meat-eating public are combined with protection of other forest 

 interests and with healthy community development. Overgrazing 

 has been stopped, range productiveness raised, losses from predatory 

 animals, poisonous plants, and contagious diseases of stock lessened, 

 inaccessible range opened to use, and each class of stock assigned to 

 the kind of range best adapted to it. 



Appreciation by the stock growers of the fact that regulated graz- 

 ing benefits them is steadily growing. The result is a strong bond 

 of common interest and sympathetic understanding. It is now 

 possible to solve, with satisfaction to both parties, many admin- 

 istrative problems which formerly gave trouble. Helpful coopera- 

 tion and assistance is the return which the Forest Service receives 

 for greatly improved conditions of live-stock production and assured 

 permanence of the stock industry. 



GRAZING CAPACITY OF NATIONAL FORESTS. 



Of the 160 national forests in the continental United States on 

 June 30, 1912, 3 produce so little forage that their use for grazing 

 purposes is unprofitable. The remaining 157 were under grazing 

 administration. The total number of domestic animals which may 

 normally be grazed within these forests has now been closely deter- 

 mined and hereafter will remain fairly constant unless the areas 

 of the forests are materially changed, except as improved conditions 

 due to more intensive methods of range utilization and to fuller 

 knowledge of range improvement problems make increases possible. 

 The need for sweeping reductions to stop damage no longer exists. 



The area under grazing administration at the close of the year 

 was 346,000 acres less than at the close of the previous year. A 

 much larger area was eliminated from the forest, but was offset by 

 the addition of other lands. Upon lands added after the season had 

 commenced no permits were renuired. Further, in many instances 

 the use of lands, elimination or which was pending at the begin- 

 ning of the grazing season, was allowed free of charge and without 

 permit, while the lands actually eliminated included some of the best 

 and most heavily stocked ranges. Nevertheless, the number of 

 animals grazing under permit was very materially increased. In- 

 creased carrying capacity due to regulated grazing made this 

 possible. 



Numerous changes in the number and kiud of stock authorized 

 to occupy each of the national forests have followed more exact 



