6j injustice of THE SYSTEM. 



an influity of nothingness. It is clear that absolute prohibition of pas- 

 ture on the public lands of the forest reserves of Southern California is 

 the only rule to make. We have left the private holdings within the 

 reserve lines. In these private holdings, I do not include those of 

 water or power companies or of resorts. This is because these help and 

 do not injure the forests. In the Pine Mountain reserve, the private 

 holdings are nearly all confined to the springs and available water 

 lands. These are said to be all held or controlled by one man. This 

 gentleman informed me recently that he was considering the fencing 

 in of all these springs and the use of the forests for sheep. While 

 sheep can go without water for consiuerable periods, when the feed is 

 green, they cannot do this during the dry season. Consequently these 

 spring holdings with the reservation open, would mean a pasture mo- 

 nopoly to the controller of the water. This is a scheme of control that 

 has been availed of elsewhere in the semi-arid districts to secure pas- 

 ture monopoly. Its rank unfairness to the public interest and general 

 taxpayers is apparent. The only other reserves with extensive private 

 holdings are the San Jacinto and the San Bernardino. The patrol can 

 restrict the pasture to such private holdings, but it is a most difficult 

 thing to do. 



