THE FORESTER. 193 



tion in the number of sheep to practically the pre'var number was 

 imperative. The bringing into use of more range for cattle through 

 the eradication of poisonous plants, securing a more uniform utiliza- 

 tion of the forage on the cattle range through better distribution, 

 and the adoption of the common use of range by cattle and sheep 

 whereby a limited number of cattle utilize forage not palatable for 

 sheep are the reasons why there has been practically no reduction 

 in the number of cattle. 



UVE-STOCK ASSOCIATIONS. 



Regulated management of the National Forest ranges during the 

 past 14 years has had a marked influence on the formation of live- 

 stock associations and the development of this field of activities. 

 The old system under which each permittee gave individual atten- 

 tion to his stock while on the range is being widely replaced by a 

 pooling of interests along certain lines, accomplished by forming 

 live-stock associations with executive committees to handle many 

 of the details of stock management. Many of the executive com- 

 mittees employ herders for the stock while on the range, buy and 

 distribute salt, in some cases buy bulls, and take charge of other 

 management and improvement matters which promote the best 

 interests of the permittees and the highest use of the range. The 

 method employed is the adoption of special rules, passed by the 

 association and approved by the Forest Service. Compliance with 

 these rules is then required of all users of the National Forest range 

 involved. Practically all of the more progressive associations have 

 adopted such special rules as meet the needs of their localities. Mem- 

 bership in the association is open to all live-stock' owners using the 

 range in question, and a majority of all users must belong to the as- 

 sociation m order to secure its recognition by the Forest Service. 



The advantages of cooperation are shown by the nymber of live- 

 stock associations recognized by the Forest Service. In 1917, 359 

 stock associations were cooperating with the Service. Last year 

 there were 544, an increase of over 51 per cent. So firm are the 

 owners of live stock that graze upon the National Forest ranges in 

 their behef in the value of organization that of the 4,246 permittees 

 in the States of Oregon and Washington over 3,000 are members of 

 live-stock associations. 



In many cases advisory boards have recommended reductions in 

 the number of stock upon a given range; they have also suggested 

 changes in grazing seasons, with a view to securing the greatest bene- 

 fits to the users and an improvement in the range. In practically aU 

 cases associations have interested themselves in constructing range 

 improvements such as drift fences, in water development, in thj 

 eradication of poisonous plants, and similar matters. The expenses 

 for the improvements are secured through assessments. The value of 

 organized cooperation is most evident on range allotments where 

 conditions of use are very intensive and the permitted stock belongs 

 to a large number of small owners. 



Water Power. 



Not much water power development has taken place since the 

 United States entered the war. Increased war demands for electric 

 power could not be deferred for the time necessary to construct 



