OUR NATIONAL FORESTS 85 



The Secretary of Agriculture decides what num- 

 ber and what kind of animals shall graze on each 

 forest. He regulates the grazing and prevents 

 injury to the ranges from being overstocked with 

 too many cattle and sheep. The forest ranges are 

 divided into grazing units. Generally, the cattle 

 and horses are grazed in the valleys and on the 

 lower slopes of the mountain. The sheep and 

 goats are pastured on the high mountain sides and 

 in the grassy meadows at or above timberline. 



Preferences to graze live stock on the forest 

 ranges are for the most part granted to stockmen 

 who own improved ranch property and live in or 

 near one of the National Forests. The fee for 

 grazing on forest ranges is based on a yearlong 

 rate of $1.20 a head of cattle, $1.50 for horses, 

 $.90 for hogs and $.30 a head for sheep. 



At times it is necessary, for short periods, to 

 prohibit grazing on the Government forest 

 ranges. For example, whenjmature timber has 

 been cut from certain areas, it is essential that 

 sheep be kept on* such tracts until the young 

 growth has made a good start in natural refor- 

 estation. Camping grounds needed for recrea- 

 tion purposes by the public are excluded from the 

 grazing range. If a shortage of the water supply 



