BRANCH OF RESEARCH 7 



at experimental stations to study the relative values of forage, methods 

 of handling stock, elimination of poisonous plants and means to 

 reseeding and the general effect of grazing on the lands. Cooperation 

 is effected with national and state authorities in enforcing quarantine 

 requirements. The revenue from grazing permits is normally about 

 two million dollars a year and nearly 36,000 permits for 6,851,690 

 sheep; 1,915,113 cattle; 69,640 horses; 39,889 goats and 1888 swine 

 (exclusive of animals grazing less than six months) were issued dur- 

 ing the 1923 fiscal year. 



Branch of Lands 



Checking up on the assets and liabilities of the lands within the 

 National Forests is one of the several important duties of this branch 

 of the Service. Areas are examined and classified, setting forth their 

 value for forest purposes. They are grouped according to their value 

 for raising certain classes or kinds of trees, or for their special adapta- 

 bility for agricultural, grazing or recreational uses. The branch con- 

 ducts all work arising in connection with claims on the National 

 Forests before they become proceedings. It supervises in a general 

 way the issue of permits for special use of the lands for residential, 

 commercial or industrial purposes not dangerous to the areas them- 

 selves. Recreation resources of the forests are being developed 

 through roads and trails, free camp grounds and conveniences. Fish- 

 ing and hunting are permitted under the restrictions imposed by the 

 state in which the forest is situated, and the branch exercises general 

 control over this activity in the large. It has further duties in con- 

 trolling exchanges of the National Forest timber and lands for lands 

 within the areas under private ownership, and in administering the 

 work in connection with the purchase of forest lands in the East. 



Branch of Research 



Under this branch are grouped all the activities directed to improve 

 the production and utilization of timber. All the investigative work 

 of the Service is under the supervision of this office. Many studies 

 are carried on with a view not only to their effect on the administration 

 of the National Forests but on wood users and producers in general. 

 Among these inquiries are studies of forest management, the best 

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