380 JOURNAI, OF FORESTRY 



grazing and tree reproduction apply also to regulation ot grazing for 

 maintenance and best use of the range. They are first essentials of 

 efficient regulation of grazing. Granting that they meet with general 

 approval, the next step is to secure their application. It is easy to dis- 

 miss the matter by laying down the rules and ordering efficient regula- 

 tion of grazing in accordance with them. When we get that far, how- 

 ever, we are just beginning. 



Take the first general conclusion regarding overgrazmg, for ex- 

 ample. Mr. Coville recommended "grazing only to such extent that the 

 forage crop does not decrease from year to year." Sparhawk, aside 

 from stipulating the methods of handling the stock, recommended 

 "grazing close enough to utilize practically all of the palatable forage." 

 Hill's conclusion was similar to Sparhawk's. Sparhawk points out 

 that the grazing capacity of range in western yellow pine is so variable 

 that figures for general application even in one locality are imprac- 

 ticable. In applying Rule i, then, we are lacking in a definite standard 

 for intensity of grazing zvhich ivill be interpreted and applied uni- 

 formh by all forest officers, and ^lue cannot substitute a measure of 

 acres per head because of variation in range capacity. Further, as far 

 as I have been able to determine we have no authorized standard of 

 what constitutes a satisfactory stand of reproduction at different 

 ages, except in special cases such as Mason worked out for lodgepole 

 pine. I fully realize that the requirement will vary greatly with 

 species and local conditions. I am merely pointing out the lack of 

 a satisfactory measure in the hands of local forest officers. 



Regarding the application of general conclusion No. 2 : The suita- 

 bility of forage for sheep, and the season of grazing with respect to 

 the seasonal variation in forage must be determined at least for each 

 locality and eventually for every part of the range. This is not an easy 

 task and at best will take time. The desired methods of handling the 

 sheep are practicable but are not usually followed closely enough to 

 minimize damage to reproduction unless there is close supervision of 

 grazing. 



The location of driveways so as to minimize injury to reproduction 

 and secure the maximum fire protection requires an accurate type 

 map or the equivalent in the way of detailed knowledge of the forest. 

 The scheme of driveways must be thoroughly considered in connec- 

 tion with grazing, silvicultural and fire protection needs. 



In the application of the regional conclusions we have all the diffi- 

 culties outlined for 1, 2, and 3 of the general conclusions, and in addi- 



