C^irrent Literature 33 



the form of a circular to a large number of users of the public 

 lands. 



Stockmen throughout the west sent 1400 replies to this cir- 

 cular. These answers show : 



ist. Under the present system the pasturage value of the pub- 

 lic range has deteriorated. 



2nd. The present condition is unsatisfactory. 



3rd. The adoption of a new system of management would in- 

 sure a better and more permanent use of the grazing lands. 



4th. A certain improvement of range condition has already 

 been brought about by range control on the reserves. 



5th. The majority of stockmen are definitely in favor of gov- 

 ernment control of the open range. 



The answers to the questions appear to have been fully given 

 and very complete. If thej^ can be taken as a true index of the 

 condition of the grazing industrj^ on the public lands as a whole, 

 they form the most powerful argument as yet set forth for gov- 

 ernmental regulation of the grazing privileges. 



The bulletin includes important extracts from the second par- 

 tial report of the Public Lands Commission. Based upon the in- 

 formation received from the stockmen, from extensive study in 

 the field and particularly from the investigation of the Public 

 lyands Commission, a plan for the government control and im- 

 provement of the public grazing lands is presented. 



A most important feature of the bulletin is a map showing the 

 location and area of the grazing lands of the western United 

 States. This map is in color, on which the public range is classi- 

 fied as summer range, winter range, year-long range, range de- 

 pending upon tank water and snow, and range developed by wells 

 and windmills. The bulletin is a clear presentation of the pre- 

 sent condition on the public range, and an excellent discussion 

 of necessary legislation in order to improve these conditions. It 

 is worth the careful study of all those interested in our public 

 lands. J. W. T. 



