NATIONAL FOREST MANUAL GRAZING. 45 



Charges for Sheep. 



The rates charged for sheep, as shown in regulation G-9, are, when 

 the quality of the range and advantages are equal, 30 per cent of the 

 rates charged for cattle, for the following reasons: 



First. The proportionate number of stock under six months of 

 age grazed free on permits is much greater with sheep than with 

 cattle. In the feed lot the amount of feed required for one cow will 

 support eight sheep. On the National Forest range, where only the 

 grown stock is counted, the proportion is reduced to one to five, 

 because the proportion of lambs to the old stock is much greater 

 than the proportion of calves, and also because lambs mature more 

 rapidly than calves and require more feed. 



Second. Under the customary methods of handling stock upon 

 the range, sheep are more destructive to the young forest growth 

 than cattle, being herded in bands while cattle are turned loose. 

 The amount of forage destroyed by trampling by herded animals is 

 also much greater than the amount destroyed by animals running 

 loose. Careful investigation has shown that herded animals require 

 from 25 to 50 per cent more range than animals which are turned 

 loose. This justifies a further reduction in the comparative charges 

 to the rates for grazing sheep and goats fixed by the regulation. 



Charges for Horses. 



In ordinary range management it is found that horses require about 

 25 per cent more range space during a given period than is required by 

 cattle. In many localities horses utilize feed that would otherwise 

 remain unused and consequently often graze upon fully stocked cattle 

 or sheep ranges without any injury from overgrazing, but as they 

 are more readily disturbed, travel greater distances and at greater 

 speed than cattle, they do more damage to forage and tree growth 

 through trampling and as a result require more of the range. 

 Charges for Swine. 



The forage consumed by swine is difficult to compare with that 

 consumed by cattle, as their feed is mast, roots, and bulbs rather 

 than forage grasses and plants, but in purposes of administration 

 two head of swine will be considered equal to one cow. On account 

 of the cost of regulating hog grazing, the very large proportionate 

 natural increase, and the damage from rooting, 60 to 75 per cent of 

 the rate for cattle is equitable. 

 Charges for Dry Sheep. 



A band of dry sheep will not consume as much forage as a band 

 of ewes with lambs, but since they will run and mass to a greater de- 

 gree the demand on range is about equal. The high summer ranges 

 of the National Forests are required to enable ewes to produce the 

 maximum amount of milk to give the lambs the growth they require 

 to prepare them for market. Therefore as between the two classes 

 the higher and better ranges should be given to the ewes and lambs. 

 The absence of lambs in a band does not justify any reduction below 

 the rates charged for ewes with lambs, and persons grazing dry 

 sheep will not be given a reduction in rates or an increase in number. 

 Charge for Lambing. 



The additional charge of 2 cents per head for the privilege of 

 lambing ewes upon the National Forests is intended to be an extra 

 charge for a special use of the range. It should not be included with 



