236 Prockedings o^ the 



this ravenous creature would not only eat the grasses 

 found there, but would feed on the shrubs and shoots, 

 and if hunger were not fully appeased by this diet, 

 would climb the trees and devour the tender branches. 

 If allowed to cross the reserves, it was claimed that 

 the sharp hoofs of the sheep would cut and pack the 

 spongy forest soil so that floods and serious soil erosion 

 would follow and forest reproduction would be en- 

 dangered. Then, too, it was charged that the herders 

 would leave camp fires uncared for and that fire and 

 destruction would follow in the wake of the shepherds 

 and their flocks. 



It took many years for the Western stockmen to 

 convince the officials in Washington that sheep do not 

 climb trees and do not eat coniferous plant or tree 

 growth, which forms the greater part of timber of 

 Western reserves. It took much efifort to convince 

 them that grazing off the heavy growth of weeds and 

 wild grass in the many parts of the reserves was the 

 best protection that could be provided against the 

 spread of fires. It has taken much demonstration to 

 convince them that it was more to the interest of the 

 stockman than any other class to protect the reserves 

 against fire and that scarcely an authenticated case could 

 be found where a forest fire originated purposely or 

 carelessly with a stockman. 



There have been exceptions to this class of officials. 

 Two notable ones occur to me at this time, the present 

 Commissioner of the General Land Office, and the 

 Forester of the Department of Agriculture. 



Following the advent of these officials into the forest 

 service have come reforms along practical lines which 

 have the sanction and approval of the President and 

 the warm welcome of the woolgrower and stockman. 



These reforms have been along the lines of more 



