SURVEYS OF FOREST RESERVES. 101 



more strikingly than any other tall trees with which I am acquainted 

 the damaging effect of heavy winds. The reproduction of the whole 

 forest is slow, and injuries are correspondingly serious. 



Fire has affected the character of the forest probably throughout this 

 reserve. It is not unlikely that the great stretclies covered with chapar- 

 ral once carried valuable forest growth, and other injuries to the utility 

 of the whole region are apparent. Fires in the chaparral are difficult to 

 subdue, on account of its impenetrable character and because of the 

 absence of sufficient roads and trails. 



Irrigation and electric-light enterprises have taken possession of 

 many of the valleys on the southern slope of the San Bernardino Eange. 

 These undertakings, and in fact the welfare of the whole adjacent 

 population, depend on the water of streams which rise in this reserve. 

 Consequently the influence which must be exerted on the prosperity of 

 the rich agricultural country along the base of the San Bernardino 

 Range by the protection or destruction of its forests is of the first im- 

 portance. Not only the wonderful fertility of the fruit orchards from 

 San Bernardino to Los Angeles depends altogether upon the water 

 supply from the San Bernardino and Sierra Madre mountains, but their 

 safety from the action of torrents is iutiiuately connected with the pro- 

 tection of the mountain slopes. The orange orchards at Pasadena have 

 already suffered from this cause, which, in the absence of efficient 

 checks, promises to increase. 



MINING. 



The area covered by this reserve has been thoroughly prospected, 

 but I am not informed that mines of importance have been developed, 

 nor does it appear that any change in the boundaries of the reserve is 

 required on this account. 



AGRICULTURE. 



Agricalture practically does not exist within the reserve, but it has 

 already been noted that agriculture without it depends very largely 

 upon the water which it supplies. 



Grazing lands are found on the flat summit of the range, but the 

 importance of the forest to irrigation is so great and the danger to it 

 from pasturage, especially of sheep, is so serious that its use in this 

 direction should not be encouraged. 



FOREST FORCE. 



It has been recommended that a forest ranger be stationed at San 

 Bernardino and forest guards at Pasadena and Hemet, to have charge 

 of the four forest reserves of southern California. While this force is 

 exceedingly small, it is believed that a fair distribution of the total 

 appropriation suggested will not permit it to be increased. 



