RANGE MANAGEMENT ON THE NATIONAL FORESTS. tf 



increasing the number of cattle. If weed feed is left, an increase in 

 sheep might be desirable. 



The old-time belief that cattle will not graze on a range used by 

 sheep is erroneous. It originated mainly when the ranges were badly 

 overgrazed. There was little or no feed of any kind left for cattle 

 after sheep grazing. Naturally cattle would not stay on such range. 

 Overgrazing and an excessive number of either class of stock must 

 be avoided, and the stock must be properly handled. These, however, 

 are difficulties which have been repeatedly overcome in practice and 

 undoubtedly can be overcome in the majority of cases. 



In practice on ranges on the National Forests cattle and sheep are 

 sometimes found grazing together, but usually the two classes of stock 

 graze over the range at different times or graze different portions of 

 the range. The parts best suited to cattle and most used by this class 

 of stock are lightly grazed by sheep at a time when there is least in- 

 terference with cattle. The areas not suited to cattle or not used by 

 cattle furnish the main grazing for sheep. 



Where the use of the range is regulated there is little need for con- 

 flict other than in opinion, and this should not stand in the way of 

 conservative use of the grazing resources. A great many summer 

 ranges should be grazed by both cattle and sheep. Either class can 

 not wholly replace the other. It seems logical, therefore, to expect 

 that common use will be given careful study and, where conditions 

 warrant, will be made a requirement if such action becomes necessary 

 to secure full use and protection of the range resources. 



IMPORTANCE OF GRAZING THE CLASS OR CLASSES OF STOCK TO WHICH THE 



RANGE IS SUITED. 



The importance of careful study to determine the class or classes of 

 stock to which a range is best suited can not be overemphasized. The 

 many reasons can not be given here without including in this place 

 much discussion which more properly belongs under the headings 

 which follow. The reader is urged, therefore, to note carefully the 

 importance of suitability of range to the stock in determining season 

 of grazing, grazing capacity, management of stock, losses from poi- 

 sonous plants, and damage to tree growth by grazing. The problem 

 of division often is difficult, because it involves not only the suit- 

 ability of the forage, but also the comparative difficulties of handling 

 the different classes of stock so as to utilize the forage without un- 

 warranted damage to other resources. The fact that large range 

 units have been classed as cattle range or as sheep range for years 

 does not necessarily mean that the original classification is infallible. 

 A unit as a whole may be best suited to the class of stock already on 

 it and yet afford much opportunity for interior classification which 

 will result in segregation of range for another class of stock or for 

 common use. 



