LIMITATIONS OF GRAZING RECONNAISSANCE 323 



a man working individually covers one to three sections per day, 

 at a cost of approximately i to 4 cents per acre. 



Application of Grazing-Reconnaissance Data to Practical 

 Pasture Management. — The application of grazing-reconnais- 

 sance maps and of the descriptive report is so extensive that in 

 themselves they well-nigh serve as a working plan for grazing. 

 Through the use of the maps those concerned with the manage- 

 ment or administration of the lands have at their disposal a 

 bird's-eye view of all the more important grazing resources, the 

 timbered areas, and the topographic features, as well as the more 

 important cultural effects and improvements. Then, too, the 

 number of stock that the range will safely carry is determined 

 by the data collected. 



While the chief object of a grazing reconnaissance is to furnish 

 information as to the most economical and improved methods of 

 handling livestock and to indicate how the lands may be main- 

 tained in a high state of productivity, the data have also an in- 

 valuable secondary use. In case of a forest fire, for instance, 

 the topographic map and other features may readily be exam- 

 ined. The presence of certain plant types may determine what 

 methods one is justified in pursuing in attempting to gain control 

 of the fire. Observations of the plant type where the fire is in 

 progress may often be very useful; whereas a fire may spread 

 rapidly over one type, it may be checked or readily controlled 

 on another. Advantage may also be taken of such features as 

 the natural drainage systems, ridges, roads, trails, and stock 

 driveways, which are shown on the map. 



Accuracy and Limitations of Grazing Reconnaissance. — The 

 low expense of grazing-reconnaissance work as here discussed is 

 obviously due to the fact that the examiner passes through a 

 section rapidly. For this reason it sometimes happens that cer- 

 tain features are overlooked which are pertinent to the develop- 

 ment of a detailed working plan for grazing. Accordingly, the 

 maps cannot serve all the purposes that may be desired. Springs, 

 cabins, fences, and similar features, when not directly in the path 

 of the examiner, may not be located accurately on the map, as 

 their location and distance from the examiner are merely esti- 



