8 



MISC. PUBLICATION 3 9, U. S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 



Grande. The 220,000 head of sheep and cattle with their offspring 

 which are supported by the forage of this national forest represent 

 an investment of nearly $5,000,000. This is in addition to the in- 

 vestment in ranch property required for carrying on the livestock 

 business. 



The efficient handling of the summer range is in itself a large 

 enterprise. The range must be used to the fullest extent, and at 

 the same time its future capacity must not be endangered by 

 overgrazing. Neither must grazing be allowed to injure forest 

 reproduction. 



The time of grazing and the number of stock using the range must 

 be limited in order to insure ample feed during unfavorable as well 

 as favorable years. Stock should not be turned on the range until 



■^' , .?: 



wW^R>'' > " 



Fig. 6. — A contented herd on luxuriant summer feed 



the forage plants have had a chance to get " set," and the number 

 of stock should be kept down so that from 10 to 20 per cent of the 

 palatable species will be left to mature and produce seed. 



Experiments in range management are carried on constantly by 

 the Forest Service, and improved metliods are applied as fast as they 

 are proved worth while and can be i^ut into operation. Because 

 of the limited amount of national-forest range it is very important 

 that the utmost care be given to its use and protection. 



GAME 



Deer, elk, mountain sheep, bear, lion, bobcats, blue and willow 

 grouse, ptarmigan, duck, and many other kinds of game range on 

 the Rio Grande. It is the policy of the Forest Service in handling 

 the grazing of domestic livestock and all other uses of the forest to 

 reserve adequate range for these wild animals, many of which are a 

 distinct asset in mountain country. The game naturally use parts 

 of the forest which can not be used efficiently for domestic stock. 

 Furthermore, the relatively small amount of wild game which now 



