What the National Forests Mean to Montana 7 



to avoid red-tape methods which tend to delay and embarrass the 

 purchaser. Homesteaders and farmers may obtain national-forest 

 timber for their own use at the actual cost to the Government of 

 handling the sale, no charge being made for the timber itself. Resi- 

 dents may take dead timber for personal use free of charge. 



Experienced woodsmen estimate the quantity and quality of 

 national-forest timber and its approximate value, as a basis for 

 the price to be charged. All factors which affect the cost of lumber- 

 ing, such as accessibility, and number and kind of improvements 

 necessary, as well as the general market conditions, are taken into 

 consideration. The prices set allow the purchaser opportunity for 

 a fair profit. Bids are obtained through public advertisement, un- 

 less the amount is small enough to come within the limit which can 



Fig. 5. — A timber sale area on a national forest 



be sold without such advertisement. No bid lower than the ap- 

 praised value of the timber is considered. 



Information concerning attractive logging chances and the con- 

 ditions of sale is gladly given by the local forest officers. 



GRAZING 



The livestock industry is one of the oldest and most important 

 activities in Montana. Not many years ago ample range was avail- 

 able to fatten vast herds of cattle, which were grazed on the plains 

 and on the grassy slopes of the foothills. The public domain was 

 used by those who were best able to assert their rights in a new 

 country where settlers were few. Fences were scarce, and the use 

 of the range was almost unrestricted. Friction between range users 



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