72 forestry Quarterly. 



used in 67 cities and towns. The situation in southern CaHfornia 

 is largely controlled by two companies, in central California by 

 one company, and in northern and eastern California by several 

 small concerns. This situation is, however, not considered as 

 necessarily detrimental to the public interest, since through 

 consolidation and the resulting economy in the cost of power 

 production it is possible to furnish electric energy to the consumer 

 at cheaper rates. Federal and State regulation, each in its own 

 sphere, are, however, essential. 



The subject of stream gauging was briefly discussed by W. L. 

 Huber, District Engineer. In order to determine the availability 

 of the stream as a source of water supply for municipal and 

 industrial purposes, for the development of power, or for irri- 

 gation, definite information is necessary relating to the ordinary 

 stream flow, range of flow, and the total yield of water in fixed 

 time periods. A plan of cooperation has been adopted between 

 the Forest Service and the Geological Survey for supplementing 

 existing information regarding stream flow so far as it relates to 

 a number of the more important streams in the National Forests. 

 This information will be of great value in supplementing data 

 independently collected by the State and by the Geological 

 Survey. 



Mr. Coert DuBois, Associate District Forester, discussed the 

 question of forest fires. Unless fires can be kept out of the 

 forests it is impossible to practice forestry on them. To actually 

 protect against fire is thus the first duty of the forester. The 

 careful working out of a complete fire protection plan is of prime 

 importance in this work. The experience of the past season has 

 demonstrated conclusively that while preparations for fire fighting 

 work may be satisfactory under ordinary conditions they are by 

 no means as complete as they must be in order to provide adequate 

 protection. 



The subject of "Grazing" was discussed by J. H. Hatton, 

 Assistant District Forester. The annual forage yield of all the 

 National Forests now supplies in round numbers 8,000,000 sheep 

 and goats and 1,750.000 cattle, horses, and hogs, and is utilized 

 by more than 27,000 individuals and concerns besides furnishing 

 free grazing to settlers, prospectors, and travelers. The manage- 

 ment of the grazing business in California extends to about 3,000 

 permittees and involves 175,000 cattle, horses, and hogs, and 



