THE FORESTS 111 



a contract for a small body of timber and cut lumber to meet a distinctly 

 local trade. This applies particularly to small portable mills located in the 

 large agricultural valleys which are as yet untapped by the railroads. 

 Timber for house loigs, fence posts, etc., up to $20 in value is given free to 

 settlers and prospectors to assist in tlie development of their claims. 



Timber needed for ranch development, in excess of the amount allowed 

 free, is sold to settlers and farmers at the actual cost of administration 

 Large sales and long term contracts are approved only Avhere the timber is 

 inaccessible and it is necessary to make a heavy investment in railroads, 

 flumes or in clearing up the stream for driving before the timber can be 

 handled. Development of such limber is encouraged and the national for- 

 ests of Montana offer many opportunities. In the large sales, detail maps 

 and estimates are made and the stumpage price based on the hazards o^ 

 the chance and its accessinility, as well as market conditions and other fact- 

 ors. Such sales are advertised for periods from 30 to 90 days and open com- 

 petition invited. 



Located as they are in the higher mountainous country the national 

 forests contain onlv a very small percentage of agricultural land. Rouehlv 

 estimated, tliis does not exceed 2% of their total area. The agricultnval 



lands are usually found in long, narrow strips along the stream 

 Information bottoms and on the more level benches. From June 11, 1906,' 

 As to For- the date of the passage of the Forest Homestead Act by Con- 

 est Home- gress which permitted the location of homesteads wnthin thel 

 steads. national forests, to October i, 1913, there have been opened 



to entry 258,977.32 acres. As rapidly as practicable a detailed 

 land classification is being made of the national forests to determine defin- 

 itely the areas valuable for agriculture. Detailed soil and topographic maps 

 are prepared and a study made of climatic conditions. In fact, all of those 

 factors which have an influence on the raising of agricultural crops are con- 

 sidered. The work is handled in co-operation with the Bureau of Soils so 

 that the best talent of the U. S. Department of Agriculture is brought to 

 bear to assist in solving this difficult problem. The completion of this land 

 classification will make it possible to respond directly to requests of pros- 

 pective homesteaders for information relative to the location of agricultural 

 lands within the national forests. The government can then allow the set- 

 tler to go upon the land, if untimbered, without delay and begin the con- 

 struction of his home. Land heavily timbered is withheld from entry until 

 the timber is sold and removed. Applications on such lands are suspended. 

 Special effort is being made to sell the timber on these suspended areas. 



Individual applications for small scattered tracts of land are handled 

 by separate examinations. A.ppHcation for an agricultural claim within a 

 national forest is made out on a regularly provided form, secured from any 



officer of the forest service, and mailed to the district forester 

 Opening at Missoula, Montana. This is filed in order of priority and an 

 the Forest examination and classification of the land is made. If the land 

 Lands to is chiefly valuabe for agriculture, it is opened directly to entry 

 Settlement, subject to the same condition as homestead areas outside of 



the national forests. 



— Show is no substance. Montana has the goods. 



