SUKVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES, 83 



the very inflammable character of the lodge-pole pine forests the pre- 

 vention of fires would be comparatively easy. 



WATKB, EASTERN SLOPE. 



The destruction of the forests on this slope will necessarily have its 

 effect upon floods in the Missouri and Mississippi, but its more imme- 

 diate result will be felt in the grazing regions along Sun Eiver and the 

 tributaries of the Marias and of Dearborn Creek. Nine reservoir sites 

 have been selected within or near the reserve on Sun Eiver and its 

 tributaries. Their future usefulness, and hence the agricultural devel- 

 opment of the regions they are intended to serve, will depend upon the 

 protection of the forests within this watershed. 



MINING, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Prospecting has been followed with but little tangible result in the 

 area under discussion, and the development of mines within it is not 

 anticipated in the near future. 



AGRICULTURE, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Agriculture, as has been said, can not be successfully pursued here 

 on account of the rigorous climate. The only important natural prod- 

 ucts of this region which may be confidently expected will come from 

 the forests. 



GRAZING, EASTERN SLOPE. 



The considerable area of grazing lands situated above the junction 

 of the north and middle forks of Sun River should be made available, 

 at least temporarily, for pasturage. As in the case of other regions, 

 pasturage should be strictly limited and controlled whenever the repro- 

 duction of the forest is desired. There is no reason for the exclusion 

 of these lands from the reserve, since their agricultural development 

 is not to be anticipated. 



FOREST MANAGEMENT, EASTERN SLOPE. 



Railroad ties have been cut from portions of the eastern slope in con- 

 siderable quantities, and a continued market for this sort of timber is 

 to be anticipated, although the demand will apparently not be large 

 in the immediate future. Water transportation for such products is 

 good, and a considerable proportion of the forest is, or may shortly be 

 made, available for this purpose. 



Considerable delay in opening this reserve to development would not 

 be followed by serious inconvenience to the neighboring population. 

 Special permits for grazing should be required under a system similar 

 to that proposed for the Cascade Reserve, Several large herds of sheep 

 are owned just outside the reserve in the valley of Sun River, and the 

 demand for their entrance to the pasture-lands already mentioned would 

 probably follow upon the construction of better roads. For the present 

 it does not seem necessary to consider it. 



Clear cutting in strips is indicated as the system of management 

 most likely to assure the safety of the forest until more careful studies 

 can determine the best methods of increasing the proportion of valua- 

 ble trees. It seems evident that the present forest is the result of years 

 of forest fires, and does not fairly represent the capabilities of the region 

 either as to volume of timber or richness of composition. Both are 

 capable of conspicuous improvement under skillful handling. 



