AN AUSTRALIAN STUDY OF AMERICAN FORESTRY. 65 
Such Associations are recognised as being in a position to express 
accurately the wants of the stockmen composing the Association and to give 
valuable advice regarding the handling of the interests represented. The 
responsibility of dealing with the suggestions and recommendations made, 
however, remains with the Forest Supervisor, and the good of the Forest is 
the governing consideration. The Supervisor may attend meetings of these 
Associations. 
Upon the specific request of the majority of the permittees, and where 
such rules will tend to prevent damage to the Forest lands or secure a more 
complete or more economic use of the Forest resources, special rules are made 
to bring about economies of operation, larger natural increases, improved 
grades of live stock, etc. The placing of bulls or other breeding animals of a 
specified grade upon a range may be made a requirement. 
Regulation G4 provides that Live Stock Associations may be granted 
permits to construct corrals, drift and diversion fences, roads, trails, sources 
of water supply, etc., and the District Forester may stipulate in the permit. 
that, during the ten years following, all permittees will be required to pay to 
the live stock association an amount equal to their pro rata share of the cost 
of constructing the improvement, which after the tenth year becomes the 
property of the Government. The cost of construction will be divided by the 
total number of stock, to find the proportionate cost per head, and. payment 
is made a condition precedent to the issue of a permit. 
The District Forester must assure himself that the proposed improvement 
is actually necessary for the proper management of the stock, and generally 
beneficial to the majority of the permittees, and that it will be substantially 
and economically constructed. Permittees are to be safeguarded against 
extravagant or wasteful methods of construction. 
Permittees are required to repair all damage done to the roads and tracks 
by their stock, to build any new roads found necessary, and to fence any 
spring liable to damage by trampling. 
Salting is regarded as a means of forest protection. Salt and water are 
two important factors in distributing cattle and horses on the range. Stock 
will alternate between the two. 
Permittees are required to salt all stock regularly at such places and in 
such manner as the forest officer may designate. 
The amount of forage trampled by a closely herded flock of sheep is as 
great as the amount actually fed. The sheep must, therefore, be bedded not 
more than six nights in succession in the same place. 
A new bed every night—the “ blanket” system—is favoured, and through 
it the Forest Service is working towards a pasture system. 
The grazing plan of the United States of America Forest Service has 
achieved a remarkable success. Originally opposed by stockmen with the 
fiercest antagonism, there is now a spreading demand for its application to 
other Government roads, besides National Forests, 
Originally the range was free, and subject to close and unrestricted 
competition, resulting. in a rush every spring, and consequent severe over- 
stocking. 
The initial problems were to reduce the total number of stock upon the 
National Forests, and to overcome the increasing deterioration of the pasturage 
owing to the overstocking. 
The office of Grazing Studies was created to further the rational use of 
