DIVISION OF FORESTRY. 611 
graver consequences of the situation will be readily understood by 
those who have studied the history of deforestation and forest de- 
vastation in southern France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain} Italy, aid 
those far eastern countries which compare somewhat in climatic 
conditions with the regions in question. 
Not only is the forest cover of the mountain crests destroyed when 
it might have yielded continuous supplies, but at the same tinie 
agriculture in the valleys below is first endangered and then made 
impossible. 
The regularity of water supplies is all-important in regions where, 
as in most of the plains of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, 
New Mexico, and southern California, agriculture is dependent upon 
the aid of irrigation. This is being interfered with when the mount- 
ain sides are laid bare, allowing the rains to run oft as from a roof 
and the snows to melt and the water to pour down in torrents at a 
time when more than enough water is on hand, and when the hus- 
banding of the supplies for a later season is highly desirable. 
Other consequences, such as an increase of snow-slides and land- 
slides, the washing of débris into the valleys, have begun to make 
themselves felt, and it can be only a question of time when we must 
reach such a state of things as was brought about in the mountain 
districts of France, Switzerland, and the Tyrol. 
During the summer of 1887 the writer undertook, at his own ex- 
pense, a journey through the Rocky Mountains in order to become 
acquainted with the region which, as will have appeared, must be of 
the greatest immediate interest to the National Government with 
reference to forestry work. As the journey was undertaken in con- 
nection with meetings of the American Institute of Mining HEngi- 
neers, an excellent opportunity was afforded to mect and ascertain the 
views of one of the most intelligent classes of the population—those 
engaged in mining. It was admitted everywhere that the present 
conditions of administration have become insufferable, and that the 
practical forestry work of the Government should first of all be di- 
rected to the protection and proper administration of its timber lands. 
The desirable legislation for such action on the part of the Gov- 
ernment, outlined in my last year’s report, has been more fully 
formulated after the personal inspection of local conditions afforded 
by my journey, and is embodied in a bill providing an administra- 
tion by which the Government forests may not only be protected 
avainst fraudulent practices and against the ever-raging forest fires, 
but which also recognizes the local needs for wood and lumber and 
provides for their sure, honest, and ready supply. 
The essential features of this bill; which has been submitted to 
Congress through the agency of the American Forestry Congress, 
are as follows: 
The withdrawal from sale or other disposal of all woodlands still 
in the hands of the Government and the classification of the same into 
three classes is provided for. 
The lands found to be of agricultural value, but wholly or par- 
tially timbered, are to be open to entry under the homestead or othe 
laws, but an appraised value for the timber shall be paid by the set- 
tler, excepting for the timber on 5 acres, which he may hold under 
a ‘‘settler’s license,” without any payment other than a nominal 
license fee of $2. The timbered lands on the headwaters of streams, 
or other timber lands unfit for agriculture, shall not be sold, but the 
timber on the same may be disposed of under a system of licenses, 
