IMPROVEMENT IN RANGE CONDITIONS 



117 



DEEP CANYON SHOWING ROCKY CLIFFS. 



AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN INCREASING COSTS OF MOVING CAMP AND OF FIELD 

 EXAMINATION BY THE GRAZING EXAMINERS. 



000 head, with a possible further in- a systematic range reconnaissance was 



crease of several thousand head. begun to learn the exact proportion of 



There has been some difficulty in the Forest land which was suitable for 



getting the herders to adopt this new grazing and to find out the character 



system for the reason that it means of the different ranges; the kinds of 



harder work, but experience has shown grasses and plants growing in each 



that after the sheep get used to the open locality ; the kind of stock to which they 



system of herding they are no harder to were best adapted; and in fact, to get all 



handle than under the close herding of the information which would be of 



system. All good herders take a pride value in promoting the fullest possible 



in having their sheep look well and there use of the lands. Over 5,000,000 acres 



is often the keenest kind of competition have already been covered by this 



among them in getting their herd on to 

 the best bedding ground. As such 

 herders come to realize that it means 



survey. Aside from the actual acreage 

 covered this work has accomplished 

 something even greater by starting 



better sheep they voluntarily adopt the systematic, intelligent study and classi- 

 open herding system out of pride in fication of the ranges on practically all 

 securing the best possible results. of the grazing Forests. The result will 



be more equitable distribution of range 

 OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. between permittees, improvement in 



The Forest Service is carrying on management of the stock, utilization of 



many other studies and experiments unused range and intelligent develop- 



with a view to helping the stockmen ment of the range lands to their highest 



secure a better utilization of the forage use. The success which we have had 



resources of the National Forests and in all this work has been due largely to 



to raise more and better stock. In 1911 the hearty cooperation of the stockmen. 



[American Forestry is indebted to the Forest Club Annual of the University of Nebraska for the cuts illustrating this 



article.] 



