WHAT IS FORESTRY? 7 



The ripe timber is sold as fast as there is a demand 

 for it, but each tree to be removed is marked by the 

 Government forester. The limbs and tops must be dis- 

 posed of when possible, which decreases the fire risk as 

 well as clears the ground. As a result the next crop of 

 timber is already starting beneath the seed trees that are 

 left. The lumber sales net almost one and one-half mil- 

 lion dollars per year. 



Fuel and fencing within reasonable limits are given 

 free of charge to all local residents but they must 

 pay a grazing fee if they wish to pasture their herds 

 within the forests. It came very hard at first to pay 

 for grass that had been free for years but the sheep- 

 and cattlemen of the West now realize that Uncle Sam 

 protects his pastures and as a result herds come out of 

 the mountains in the fall in prime condition. The 

 privilege is well worth the small price that is asked 

 and at present the grass growing in the open parks 

 beneath the trees on the national forests supplies feed 

 for a portion of the year at least to not less than one- 

 sixth the total meat supply of the United States. 



The national forests are not locked against farming 

 for, under the Act of June 11, 1906, farms to the extent 

 of one hundred and sixty acres may be obtained as home- 

 steads and in addition mineral claims can be secured 

 by complying with reasonable restrictions laid down by 

 the Forest Service. Finally, the forests owned by the 

 people can be and are extensively used as hunting and 

 camping grounds, for during the last year no less than 

 1,500,000 people used the national forests for recreation 

 purposes, furnishing splendid hunting and fishing to 

 those fortunate enough to live within reach. Thus in 

 supplying timber for public sale, grass for local herds, 

 homesteads for homeseekers and recreation areas for 



