604 JOURNAL Ol' rORESTRV 



yearly increase for the period of about 50 per cent/ This, however, 

 is based only on estimates. In order to be conservative, an annual in- 

 crease of 35 per cent has been assumed until such time as more accurate 

 information can be obtained. It is evident at any rate that they in- 

 crease rapidly, judging by the new dams constructed each year. 



Picture the conditions just described. The stream flowing from the 

 mountain slopes with every drop of water taken for irrigating the 

 cultivable lands in the plains. The beavers, which were once as plen- 

 tiful as the buffalo and which were swept away through destructive 

 methods of use, have increased along some of the streams so as to 

 become noticeable. There is a growing realization of their value, not 

 only for the fine quality of their fur, but for their service in building 

 dams, to stabilize the flow of irrigation water through soil saturation. 

 This point is not entirely clear but its outer lines have a growing 

 permanency tending to stay the hand of destruction, and increase the 

 interest taken in the presence of the animals. It has been known that 

 beavers cause damage by interfering wath the flow of irrigation water. 

 This knowledge has been made the excuse in many cases for their 

 molestation or complete destruction. But, as shown in the Cochetopa 

 work, there is a growing realization of the possibility of control so the 

 benefits are realized and the destructive tenancies of the animals kept 

 at the minimum. 



The lands are in the National Forests with every indication of being 

 suitable and so extensive in area as to offer unlimited possibilities. 

 The little that is known of the beavers and their very persistence 

 makes them particularly applicable for cultivation on this type of land. 



Picture the activities of those two rangers in the Cochetopa work. 

 The very nature of the interest stimulated by the character of the 

 administration based upon the proprietorship of the lands, is more 

 potent than that which can be brought to bear on the subject from any 

 other source. The State officer tackles the question in a way calculated 

 to arouse impatience among those interested. The trapper employed 

 by the State showed no activity in that phase of the project relating 

 to taking the animals for planting. He was interested in taking the 

 product of the beavers. Whereas your forest officers want to work 

 upon the proposition of establishing the animals on the streams suited 

 to their permanent occupancy. The Cochetopa work brought out how 

 important is a knowledge of the animal's habits in attempting to suc- 

 cessfullv control them. 



