REGULATION OF GRAZING 37? 



Observations over a period of five years on range instanding timber 

 showed that 27.2 per cent of the aspen reproduction under about 40 

 inches in height was killed by light sheep grazing; 31.8 per cent by 

 moderate grazing; and 65 per cent by heavy grazing. On clear-cut 

 plots the dam.age annually was found to be exceedingly heavy. Three 

 years of successive sheep grazing on such plots following clear cutting 

 of the standing timber resulted in complete destruction of the aspen 

 reproduction. After the sprouts reach a height of about 45 inches, 

 which takes about three years, they are beyond destructive browsing 

 by sheep. 



The foregoing conclusions apply, no doubt, to other central Utah 

 Forests and to the Humboldt Forest in Nevada. Aspen affords the 

 greater part of shade on both cattle and sheep ranges on the Humboldt 

 and as a consequence the aspen range, especially along watering places, 

 is considerably overgrazed with the result that there is no aspen re- 

 production. I found about the same situation on an overgrazed cattle 

 range on the Modoc National Forest. 



Observations elsewhere do not always show such marked damage 

 to aspen from sheep grazing on range where other forage suitable for 

 •sheep is available. It is a fact, however, that overgrazing or heavy 

 grazing by sheep will prevent a good stand of aspen reproduction. 

 Continued overgrazing by cattle also will seriously interfere with, if 

 it does not prevent, satisfactory reproduction. 



Grazing in Relation to Fire 



Hatton,'* in an unpublished report on grazing in relation to fire pro- 

 tection on the National Forests, in 1U13, compiled and analyzed all 

 available data on the subject, including carefully prepared reports from 

 120 forest supervisors. He summarized his conclusions as follows : 



"Grazing has its relative place in fire protection and should be given due 

 weight in protection plans by working out the proper kind and intensity of 

 grazing according to the particular needs of local situations. 



"The ideal use in general is normal grazing, or such intensity of grazing as 

 will maintain the pastures at normal productivity. Overgrazing is justified 

 along driveways or strategic fire lines where intensive use will result in a 

 greater total protection to the adjoining forests. Overgrazing the forests more 

 than this would result in more ultimate harm than good and any sacrifice of 

 forest interests should not be made except through the assurance of greater 

 net benefits." 



"Hatton, Jfihii II.. Grazing in Relation to Fire Damage on tiie National For- 

 ests, 191.3. 



