376 '1 HE 1R1U GA Tl ON A GE 



ther sections of the western States, where the canyon sources of 

 water supply are situated near the cultivated fields. The continual 

 feeding upon the undergrowth destroys the natural protection for the 

 snowbanks and removes the sod which holds the water in check unti 

 it gradually finds its outlet in the springs and streams beneath. When 

 a shower of rain falls upon these barren foothills and roadcut water- 

 sheds the water at once forms into little rivulets and rushes for the 

 wasteways in the larger stream beds. The volume increases as it 

 moves down the slopes and when it reaches the valleys, where it should 

 be clear and pure, it is but a rolling mass of death dealing germs and 

 an uncontrollable flood of destruction to everything in its path. 



A few years ago, before the wholesale and unmerciful slaughter 

 of the forest trees and the greedy devouring of vegetation, a heavy 

 rain in the mountains was regarded as one of the beneficent results of 

 arid conditions, but today it is watched as closely as the cyclone cloud 

 of the Mississippi Valley, because its dangers are equally as great to 

 those in its line of destruction. Before the denuding of the hills the 

 people looked upon the mountains and rejoiced at the heavy snowfall 

 being drifted into banks every winter for supplying the irrigating 

 water the following summer, now they become alarmed at the clouds 

 lying heavily over the canyons and begin to prepare the streams for 

 carrying the excess of spring freshets, which they have learned to 

 expect. 



The residents of the western states are forced into the necessity 

 of resorting to forest growth as a precautionary measure for self pro- 

 tection. The beautiful mountains become dangerous foes when rob- 

 bed of their mantles of grandeur. Efforts must be put forth for pre- 

 serving those forests. One important move is the keeping of all graz. 

 ing animals away from the canyons and summits bordering on streams 

 used in the valleys below, and another is to prohibit timber cuttidg 

 where it will destroy the forests. Utah has a law prohibiting the cut- 

 ting of under eight inches at tha stump, whioh is go 3d so far as it 

 goes. 



In the early days when the pioneers of western colonization re- 

 quired all the assistance possible for reclaiming the deserts and build- 

 ing up in the arid lands, the eminent domain was a great boon, giving 

 all an opportunity for pasturing on the general government aieo,. 

 But conditions have changed and the era of small farming has come 

 over the west. The d_ay of extensive ranges is practically over. If 

 stockmen would plant their farms to alfalfa and feed the hay upon 

 tneir own lands, they would reap better profits than under the present 

 range feeding plan. The stock, if properly cared for would become 

 better and more profitable if the ranges were left in the native state 

 and every man looked after his own, as in the eastern states, 



The changes to be made will have to come about by local orga- 

 nization for forestry cultivation and protection, by state and national 



