30 NATIONAL FOREST, STATE, AND PRIVATE LANDS 



sources is sure to be continued in harmony with the desired pro- 

 tection of the timber and the watersheds, as well as with other 

 policies of local and national importance. 



STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS 



During their early . settlement certain Western States were 

 granted tracts of agricultural and arid lands the income from 

 which was to be used for educational and other public purposes. 

 Furthermore, where the railroad became necessary for the devel- 

 opment of the country, land grants were acquired from the 

 Government by railroad companies. For example, large tracts 

 of farm and pasture lands were granted to the Northern Pacific 

 Railroad Company in the State of Washington. Although the 

 railroad lands, like those in State ownership, were subject to 

 purchase, they were at first in little demand; for, as they con- 

 sisted mainly of grazing lands and had no fences, the forage crop 

 could easily be harvested without the payment of grazing charges. 

 During the period of free use, the State lands, like those of the 

 public domain, soon became seriously depleted, and it was evi- 

 dent that some method of control was essential. A system of 

 leasing was decided upon as a means of revenue, and also be- 

 cause the State and other officers beheved that the trespass of 

 stock would thereby be avoided, that the original carrying capa- 

 city of the lands would be restored, and that the land values 

 themselves would be correspondingly increased. 



The Texas Leasing System. — Prior to 1879 the State lands 

 of Texas brought in only limited revenues. This was due chiefly 

 to faulty laws, a loose system of management, and an abundance 

 of low-priced, privately owned lands. For a long time the inef- 

 fective laws resulted in a popular disregard of the leasing of 

 State lands, while at the same time the pastures were being 

 destructively utilized. It was not until 1883, when the Com- 

 missioner of the Texas Land Office made effective a general law 

 calling for the classification, sale, and lease of all State lands, 

 that reasonable revenues were received. From then on, all acces- 

 sible pasture lands were leased or sold. The rental varied ac- 

 cording to the character of the land, the minimum charge being 



