AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 63 
The grazing business is one of the features of the United States of America 
Forest Service. It is controlled by a specialist assistant to the Forester at 
Washington, and in every District Forestry Office is an assistant District 
Forester who specialises in and devotes his whole attention to that one line of 
work. 
The leading objects of the grazing regulations are laid down as— 
(1.) The protection and conservative use of all National Forest land 
adapted for grazing. 
(2.) The permanent good of the live stock industry through proper 
care and improvement of the grazing lands. 
(3.) The protection of the settler and home builder against unfair 
competition in the use of the range. 
The basis of the United States of America system is a permit issued on a 
charge per capita basis and granted generally for one year, though, “ where all 
controversies have been settled and proper numbers of stock are allowed, the 
Secretary for Agriculture will authorise approval of applications for periods 
of not more than five years, with the understanding that all permits are 
terminated at any time and that the renewal of permits will be within his 
discretion. 
The present fees are nominal. The rates are based upon an annual charge 
for cattle, which varies from Is. 8d. to 6s. per head according to the situation 
and advantages of the forest. 
Since horses require about 25 per cent. more pasturage space than cattle 
and do greater damage, the rates for horses are from 25 per cent. to 40 per 
cent. higher. 
For pigs the rates are from 25 per cent. to 40 per cent. lower. 
For sheep and goats, the charge is 25 per cent. of that for cattle. 
An additional charge of one penny per head is made for the privilege of 
lambing ewes. 
For periods less than twelve months the rate is slightly higher. 
All fees are payable in advance and before issue of the permit. 
Permits are issued only to persons entitled to share in the use of the 
National Forest by virtue of prior use, local residence, or dependence upon 
the pasturage. New settlers are not regarded as having gained a permanent 
preference until they have demonstrated the good faith of their settlement by 
three years of residence, improvement and cultivation. 
Preference is given to local residents in all cases, and American citizens 
are given first consideration. 
: 
A certain number of live stock is fixed for each National Forest, and 
permits are issued up to that number so long as no damage is done by such 
stock. 
“A reduction will be made from the number of stock grazed 
‘during the previous season if, owing to the number grazed or the 
method of handling stock, damage is being done to the forest, and 
in extreme cases all stock will be removed.” 
“ Every effort will be made to distribute the stock satisfactorily 
in the range in order to secure greater harmony among the users | 
of the forest, to reduce the waste of forage by tramping in unneces- 
sary movement of stock, and to obtain a more permanent, judicious, 
and profitable use of the range.” 
