ress in recent years toward eliminating over- 
grazing; nevertheless, some of these are still de- 
teriorating. 
Keeping livestock in proper balance with forage 
and feed supplies is fundamental in range man- 
agement. Without it, reseeding and other restora- 
tive measures accomplish little. Experience has 
shown that economic inducements to lower the 
rate of stocking often are not effective. Education 
and other publicly sponsored programs will help, 
but the solution to this basic problem rests very 
largely with range users and owners, who must 
gain greater understanding of the range and how 
to manage and use it properly. 
Another important need is to unscramble the 
complicated ownership pattern which in many 
parts of the West seriously hampers management 
of forest ranges. Largely the result of earlier 
Government land-disposal policies, it typically pre- 
sents a confusing array of small private holdings, 
State lands, alternate railroad grant sections, and 
speculative holdings, often interspersed with blocks 
of Federal land. 
Many ranchers make part-time use of public 
range, some of them grazing lands administered 
by several agencies under differing policies and 
regulations. ‘There is need for consolidation of 
ownership, where practicable, and for better co- 
ordination of public procedures and policies. On 
national forests and grazing districts, administra- 
tion has been facilitated by transfer, leasing, and 
exchange of land. Much wider application of 
these procedures is needed. 
Land is frequently a limiting factor in sound 
private ranch ownership. Ranching often requires 
6,000 acres or more to provide a satisfactory living. 
The amount of land needed depends on such fac- 
tors as its location and physical character, its ca- 
pability for forage production, the development of 
improvements, and the kind of management it gets. 
Many western ranches are of an uneconomic size 
or poorly developed, and afford poor prospect for 
range conservation and betterment. Public aids, 
such as technical assistance, grants for range bet- 
terment, and sound credit on liberal terms, ’ will 
help small ranchers meet this problem. But in 
some instances the only practical solution is out- 
right public purchase. 
Public forest ranges should serve as models of 
conservation and good husbandry. Yet range 
management on many public lands is still in its 
developmental stages, handicapped by limited fa- 
\ 
Forests and National Prosperity 
cilities. Even on the national-forest ranges, under 
administration and protection for several decades, 
there is need for intensified management to im- 
prove forage and livestock production. Generally 
this involves more men and money to do the man- 
agement job. It also requires capital improve- 
ments on a large scale—reseeding depleted ranges, 
improving stock water supplies, eliminating nox- 
ious plants, and providing facilities such as fences 
and driveways. 
More research is also needed. Only in the last 
10 years has range research been extended, even 
on a limited scale, to all western regions and to 
the South. It has already done much and can do 
more in fostering range improvement and_profit- 
able livestock production. 
Forest Recreation 
A Large and Growing Use 
Much of our outdoor recreation seeks a forest 
environment. People by the millions go to the 
forest to picnic or camp; to hunt, fish, or pursue 
other interests; or simply to enjoy the spacious- 
ness, solitude, or scenic qualities of wooded country. 
Most forest lands have potential recreation 
value. Perhaps two-thirds of the total acreage is 
actually available, in some degree, for recreation 
use. 
‘Recreation in the last few decades has become 
a major forest use and a big business. At least 
half a million people earn all or part of their living 
supplying services, accommodations, or equipment 
to those who seek forest recreation. 
Forest recreation especially benefits the count- 
less small, back-country communities which derive 
much of their income from tourist business at- 
tracted, in large part, by the forest setting. For 
example, in Flathead County, Mont.—a_ typical 
forest county—recreation during its season affords 
more employment than logging and supports about 
one-tenth of the trade and service employment. 
Large investments indicate the importance of 
forest recreation. On national forests about 27.5 
million dollars of Federal funds has been spent on 
recreation improvements and some 37.5 million 
of private capital is invested in resorts, ski lifts, 
summer homes, and other facilities. “Chrough- 
out the West, hundreds of dude ranches cater to 
forest visitors. In the East, particularly the moun- 
tain forests of the New England States, millions 
of dollars are invested in hotels, resorts, and other 
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