EFFECT OF" GRAZING ON« WESTERN- YEDLOW PINE. 27 



PROTECTION AGAINST FIRE. 



. The most important benefit to the forest which can be attributed 

 to grazing is the reduction in quantity of inflammable ground cover 

 and the consequent decrease in fire hazard. It is not probable that 

 the number of fires can be reduced in this way, but their intensity 

 and consequently their size and the amount of damage done, is bound 

 to decrease with a decrease in the quantity of fuel on the ground. 

 This is particularly apt to be true in a forest of the western yellow 

 pine type, where fire seldom runs in the crowns. but nearly always on 

 the ground. If the ground cover is scanty, the older timber is to. a 

 certain extent immune from serious damage by surface fires and, there 

 is more likelihood that occasional patches of reproduction will escape 

 destruction. Entire denudation of the soil, such as occurs on much- 

 used bed grounds and along driveways, absolutely prevents fires from 

 spreading in such places, but of course destroys any reproduction 

 which may be present. Light or moderate grazing does not remove 

 enough of the cover to stop fires, but may considerably reduce their 

 heat and rapidity of spread and make them easier to combat. 



MANAGEMENT OF GRAZING. 



The points brought out in the study suggest a number of principles 

 for the management of grazing in western yellow pine and, with slight 

 modifications, in the other timber types of the region. These prin- 

 ciples are based on (1) the utilization of the forage in the way most 

 advantageous to the stockman, (2) the welfare of the forest repro- 

 duction, (3) the reduction of the fire hazard. . . 



TIME TO GRAZE. 



In general, the range should be grazed before the forage becomes 

 dry and unpalatable. Grazing should start in the lower parts of the 

 western yellow pine country (3,000 to 4,000 feet altitude) early in 

 May and practically close by the middle or end of July. The higher 

 altitudes can be grazed from about June 1 to the end of July, or, in 

 wet seasons, to the middle of August. Areas consisting largely of 

 grass or weed range should be used first, since they contribute largely 

 to the inflammable ground cover of August. Besides, if they are 

 fed off early, they will often produce another crop of foliage or seeds 

 before the end of the season. Areas where there is great likelihood 

 of fires starting should be grazed before the dry season begins. Areas 

 upon which most of the reproduction is under 3 years old should be 

 grazed as late in the season as is possible with proper utilization of 

 the feed, since they are the least liable to injury. Such areas should 

 not be grazed when the ground is saturated, especially early in the 

 season. 



