10 MISC. PUBLICATION 290. U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 

 RANGE RESOURCES AND THEIR USE 



Along with the timber in the national forests, particularly in those 

 of the West, there is a great deal of grazing land which is used every 

 year by about 5.700,000 sheep and goats and 1,500.000 cattle, horses, 

 and swine. If the 5,150.000 young of all kinds (which are not counted 

 or charged for) are added, the total number of domestic animals 

 which graze annually in the national forests is now about 12.350.000. 



Resident settlers and stockmen are given first consideration in the 

 granting of the grazing privileges. Each permit specifies the num- 

 ber of stock which may be grazed during a stated period and the 

 portion of the forest on which they are to be grazed. 



F-35039 



Figure 6. — Cattle grazing on high summer range. Grand Mesa National Forest, Colo. 



Range administration involves the protection, development, and 

 management of the forage resource in such a way as to allow its 

 fullest use consistent with permanent maintenance. Forage on the 

 national forests is important to many engaged in the livestock in- 

 dustry and is the basis for the establishment and maintenance of 

 homes and communities. A good supply of forage year after year 

 can be assured only by not allowing the land to be overcrowded 

 with stock or to be grazed too early in the season. Under regula- 

 tion, overgrazed range is improved, instead of being further dam- 

 aged or denuded. 



PROTECTION OF OUR WATERSHEDS 



Vegetation — forests, grasses, and brush — covering mountain ranges 

 and other large areas of the country, exerts a powerful influence upon 

 regularity of water supplies. Water for domestic and industrial 



