46 FOREST POLICY. 



cities, where prices are high, small ranges are required, and vice 

 versa for mountain districts. The tendency is to decrease continuous- 

 ly the size of the ranges allotted to the care of an officer. These offi- 

 cers, as a rule, fully administer the State forests, within their pre- 

 cincts; whilst in communal forests, only silviculture and protection — 

 in private forests protection only — is placed in their charge. 

 B. Rotation: 



Rotation is the number of years which a forest is allowed to live. 

 A high rotation usually means a large investment in stumpage and a 

 low rate of interest. The indirect value of the forest is best protected 

 by long rotations (l6o years). Short rotations (20 years) are usually 

 coppice and firewood rotations. A high rotation is advisable in State 

 forestry for the following reasons: 



1. The government can get along, being long lived, with a low 

 rate of interest, and its investments must be absolutely safe. 



2. A forest dealt with in a long rotation is more efficient in secur- 

 ing steadiness of water supply, navigation, public health, lumber indus- 

 try, etc. 



3. Private forestry will never produce large sized timber whick 

 may be required in the future as in the past. 



(XXXIX.) ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL RESERVES: 



The law of June 4, 1897, authorizes an appropriation of $150,000.00 

 for the survey of reserves (Geological survey), and only $18,000.00 

 for administration proper. The principles of administration wert 

 given by the same law and cover: 



1. The object of the reserves. 



2. The public and private use of the reserves, namely; pasture, 

 free use of their timber and stone, sale of dead, mature and large tim- 

 ber, rights of way, establishment of churches, schools and hotels. 



3. Entry of mineral lands. (As usual). 



4. Relinquishment of claims; so called forest reserve scrip. 



The original appropriation for administration was entirely insuffi- 

 cient to answer the purpose. The appropriation during the last few 

 years has been $300,000. (Since 1899). 



USE OF FOREST RESERVES, UNDER CONTROL OF GENERAL LAND OFFICE: 



A. Timber: 



1. Free use of timber, up to $20. (viz. $100.) stumpage value, 

 granted upon application, open to settlers, miners, prospectors, res- 

 idents, for their household needs, their mining and prospecting oper- 

 ations. , 



2. Public sale of dead, mature and large timber, usually by auc- 

 tion, after public advertisement, either upon application of interested 

 parties, or for silvicultural purposes, by direction of General Land 

 Office. Timber must not leave State of reserve. 



3. Gross revenue, from cash sales, in 1902, $25,432. 



B. Grazing: (free of charge) 



