A NATIONAL PLAN FOR AMERICAN FORESTRY 543 



reports an increase of from 800 to 1,300 cattle in 3 years by additional 

 water development and the application of proper salting. 



It is much simpler to obtain satisfactory distribution with sheep 

 since they are continually under the care of a herder. The open- 

 herding and bedding-out system of handling sheep, developed by the 

 Forest Service from studying sheep grazing in pastures and through 

 experimental tests of herding throughout the West, provides for quiet 

 grazing in open formation during early morning and evening, a mini- 

 mum of trailing and use of dogs, and bedding on a new ground every 

 evening. Its advantages compared to the old bedding and herding 

 systems are: (1) More even utilization of the forest understory, 

 permitting more satisfactory maintenance of cover for watershed 

 protection over the whole area grazed; (2) less heavy local damage to 

 timber reproduction; (3) an increase in grazing capacity of 20 to 25 

 percent; (4) cleaner and larger wool clips are produced; (5) a greater 

 average weight of lambs; and (6) great reduction in losses from 

 poisonous plants. Thus there is a direct benefit to the stockman as 

 well as to the range. 



OTHER FEATURES OF FOREST RANGE MANAGEMENT 



In the development and application of sound forest range manage- 

 ment, properly coordinated with other forest uses, the following items 

 need consideration : Range improvements and the control of poisonous 

 plants, rodents, and predatory animals. 



As better range management has been perfected, increasing atten- 

 tion has been given to the development of such range improvements 

 as fences, water developments, driveways, pastures, corrals, and other 

 equipment and developments for controlling grazing so as to obtain 

 most satisfactory utilization of the forage. Often boundary fences 

 are the only practical means of eliminating trespass and keeping stock 

 within allotments, of dividing ranges for seasonal use, or segregating 

 classes of livestock. Water is an absolute essential to effective use of 

 the range. It is not abundant on many ranges of the West, particu- 

 larly in the Southwest ; therefore, it is necessary to drill or dig wells, 

 construct reservoirs for catching run-off water, to improve springs, 

 and to pipe water into troughs sufficient for watering all the livestock 

 that should water at one time. Driveways and trails, bridges across 

 swift mountain streams, riders' cabins, and other improvements also 

 facilitate the handling of livestock and otherwise aid in range manage- 

 ment that is needed for the fullest correlation of grazing with other 

 forest uses. 



In 1930 it was estimated that 5,414 cattle and 24,883 sheep were 

 lost on the 1,300,000 acres of national-forest land known to be infested 

 with poisonous plants. At conservative low price figures, this loss 

 exceeded $250,000. Over one half of the cattle losses are attributed 

 to larkspur poisoning. Grubbing, at an average cost of about $5 per 

 acre, generally is an effective control measure for exterminating this 

 weed. Grubbing a relatively small area may release a whole range 

 from danger for several years. Chemicals have been used effectively 

 to kill larkspur but cost more than grubbing. 



Water hemlock and death camas may also be controlled by grubbing. 

 It is thought, however, that the real remedy in many cases must be 

 the indirect method of revegetating the range and maintaining a 



