Current Literature 731 



view.) Such marked differences need scientific investigation 

 before the American forester will be satisfied that he is recommend- 

 ing the proper system. 



T. S. W. Jr. 



Carrying Capacity of Grazing Ranges in Southern Arizona. By 

 E. O. Wooton. Bulletin 367, U. S. Department of Agriculture. 

 Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry. Washington, 

 D. C. 1916. Pp. 40. 



The Bureau of Plant Industry has been carrying on for some 

 eleven years a study of range conditions on a fenced range in 

 southern Arizona, on an area known as the Santa Rita Range 

 Reserve, located near Tucson, Arizona, having altitudes ranging 

 from 2800 to 5500 feet. This publication has for its object the 

 presentation of the results of this study. 



The study of carrying capacity is of unusual interest to federal 

 forest officers, since it represents a method diametrically op- 

 posed to that used in National Forest administration. So far as 

 understood, this experiment was based on the premise that in 

 order to get a stock range to come back it was necessary to fence 

 it, thereby absolutely controlling at all seasons the number of 

 stock using it; whereas the plan followed on the National Forests 

 is based on the idea that a range can be brought back by a system 

 of rotation and deferred grazing. 



This latter method is the only one considered practicable for 

 the range conditions as they exist on the National Forests. Com- 

 plete fencing of stock ranges and allowing complete rest for con- 

 siderable periods has not yet been shown to be feasible on the 

 extensive areas within the National Forests. 



As stated by the author, the objects of the experiments carried 

 on on the Santa Rita Range Reserve were: 



1. To demonstrate that under proper treatment rundown and 

 overstocked ranges will recover. A statement of fact that was 

 very much doubted by stockmen when the experiments were 

 begun. 



2. To ascertain how long a time is necessary to get appreciable 

 and complete recovery, and what methods of management will 

 produce such resxilts. 



3. To carry on reseeding and introduction experiments in the 

 hope of increasing the total quantity of feed. 



