212 WESTERN GRAZING GROUNDS AND FOREST RANGES 



In studying the subject much has been learned as to 

 the possibilities of utilizing the ranges in the National 

 Forests and at the same time allow for the growth of 

 the timber. The question is a broad one, and must 

 always be met in a fair spirit by the grazing men on one 

 side and the trained foresters on the other. From the 

 studies so far made it is evident that on those ranges 

 where reproduction is desirable, by keeping the stock, 

 especially sheep, off certain areas for periods of years 

 the young timber will get its growth to a point where it 

 can not be damaged by stock. Such areas can there- 

 fore be temporarily closed, and once the young timber 

 is past the danger-stage can be again opened for graz- 

 ing. If people are going to build houses they must first 

 be fed, and there is little danger that the areas within 

 the National Forests will be handled so as to leave the 

 forage on a single acre of it untouched by meat-pro- 

 ducing animals, unless it is clearly shown that such 

 exclusion is absolutely necessary, and that the value of 

 the timber produced on the area will be greater than its 

 meat-raising capacity. 



Improving the Ranges. Through the conservative 

 and practical administration of grazing affairs on the 

 various National Forests, the carrying capacity of many 

 of the ranges is gradually being improved, and while it 

 is true that on some of the forests the number of stock 

 grazing today is considerably less than it was a decade 

 ago it is also true and much more to the point that the 

 physical condition of the stock now grazing there is 

 much better, and there is a greater stability to the busi- 

 ness than under the old conditions. 



One of the most destructive uses of the mountain 

 ranges under the old system was the early grazing be- 



