228 PRACTICAL FORESTRY 
mountain peaks, and in which, where moisture is 
sufficient, growth is constant and extremely luxu- 
riant. 
Most of the Federal forest reservations are lo- 
cated on the Pacific Coast and in the mountainous 
districts of the arid regions. 
By an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1891, 
the President of the United States can withdraw 
from sale and entry and set apart by proclamation 
parts of the public domain. These are called Forest 
Reservations. 
Presidents have used this power freely, so that the 
area reserved, including national parks, approximates 
in round numbers 50,000,000 acres. Owing to the 
facts that the boundaries of these reservations are 
still not permanently settled in every case, that new 
reservations are being added from time to time, and 
that within these reservations more or less land is 
owned or claimed by private parties, it is impossible 
at the present time to more than approximate their 
area. 
These reservations are set aside for three im- 
portant purposes: First, the preservation of the tim- 
ber; second, the preservation of natural curiosities 
and extraordinary scenery; and, third, for the con- 
servation of the water supply. 
National parks differ from forest reserves chiefly 
