REGULATION OF GRAZING 379 



timbered lands, and other conclusions which are regional only. The 

 statements are purposely broad with a view^ to their practical applica- 

 tion in the management of the National Forests. 



The conclusions of general application are : 



1. Regardless of sectional or local conditions overgrazing by sheep, whether 

 due to too many stock or bad management of the stock, results in injury to 

 tree reproduction which will seriously interfere with or prevent the establish- 

 ment or reestablishment of a satisfactory stand of timber. 



2. The character of forage^ the season of grazing, and the way in winch the 

 sheep are handled on the range, each and collectively, are factors which may 

 result in excessive injury to tree reproduction even if overgrazing of the range 

 in the ordinary sense of the word is eliminated. 



3. Excessive injury to tree reproduction is unavoidable on driveways, but 

 the extent of area so injured can be kept down materially by care in the loca- 

 tion of driveways; further, it is often possible to locate driveways so that they 

 will be a benefit to the forest through their value as fire breaks. 



4. Grazing is a factor of consideration in fire protection, primarily by de- 

 creasing the inflammable material through removal or by hastening decay. 



5. Large areas have reproduced to western yellow pine, which is probably the 

 species most injured by grazing, notwithstanding considerable injury by sheep 

 grazing over long periods. 



6. Injury to tree reproduction by cattle and horse grazing is negligible ex- 

 cept on areas considerably overgrazed. 



The following conclusions are regional : 



1. (o) As a general rule forests in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, 

 and perhaps Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado, will reproduce satisfactorily 

 under grazing, provided grazing is properly regulated. 



(6) On plantations, direct seeding areas, areas which should be reproduced 

 and are not reproducing and, perhaps, after cutting in these states, sheep graz- 

 ing should be eliminated until a good stand of seedlings three years old is se- 

 cured and only moderate to light grazing by sheep should be allowed thereafter 

 until it is considered that full grazing will not result in injury which will in- 

 terfere with the stand of timber desired. 



2. (a) In Arizona and New Mexico, and perhaps southern Utah, areas in 

 need of reproduction should be closed to sheep grazing until a satisfactory 

 stand of reproduction six inches to three feet in height is secured. 



{b) Within this territory sheep should be excluded permanently from bunch- 

 grass range in timber as far as practicable. 



3. In aspen forests where reproduction of aspen is desired, sheep should be 

 excluded for at least three years after cutting. 



APPLICATION IN GRAZING MANAGEMENT 



In Statement these principles or conclusions seem simple enough. 

 Except for total protection from grazing the conclusions regarding 



