FUR culturf: on thk nattoxal forests 597 



'i'here is no question about the damage done by beaver to both 

 ditches and crops, so their development in an agricultural district re- 

 quires constant attention to prevent damage. In face of this fact 

 there are many ranchmen or agriculturists who accept the trouble en- 

 tailed by the presence of the animals for the satisfaction of having 

 them in existence upon their property. A good example of this is 

 found in Colorado which has had a closed season for many years. 

 Even with provision in the law for taking such animals as cause dam- 

 age and without check by the State authorities and the wholesale dis- 

 regard of the law, the beavers have increased to such an extent that 

 repeated efforts are being made to change the law so that the animals 

 can be taken without restriction. One interesting feature is the extent 

 to which the animals, have increased in face of much abuse and with 

 only the slight protection afforded by the ineffective enforcement of 

 [he law. This shows their persistence and what might be done with 

 the animals where suitable culture areas are available. There is much 

 stream area in the range of ditch-heads and cultivated lands where 

 beavers can exist to advantage with little property loss. I do not 

 believe there exists any general sentiment among those interested in 

 the lands for the complete elimination of the animals from this type. 

 There are those who deplore the property loss and would destroy the 

 beavers completely, feeling that property should be first and seeing no 

 value in the animals. There are those who covet the products of the 

 beavers and agitate the damage feature to gain the assistance of those 

 who would destroy the animals to protect property. Considering the 

 failure of two legislatures to open the season, I feel that those in favor 

 of protection are in the majority. 



If there were only the stream reaches in the range of ditches and 

 cultivation, the general conditions would offer many features encourag- 

 ing to a study for development of a workable plan for production. 

 When we add to this the many miles of suitable water well supplied 

 with food and entirely removed from conflicting interests, the possi- 

 bilities for a substantial return from the lands and the development of 

 an industry which will not interfere with the land production in other 

 ways appear very feasible. The National Forests are for the most 

 part mountainous lands which will remain in a wild state and they 

 therefore oft'er excellent culture areas for fur animals. Another po^nr 

 which should be given full consideration is that the forest lands con- 



