26 Circular 211, Dept. of Agriculture 



and the precautions which it is necessary to obserf 

 in order not to cause fires. 



PROTECTION OF WATER SUPPLY 



Undoubtedly the greatest value of the mountain 

 ranges of the country, most of which are within na- 

 tional forests, lies in their influence upon the regi^ 

 larity of the water supply. In many of the States 

 the mountains afford the main water supply for 

 domestic use, for irrigation, and for the development 

 of power. The future development of the entire coun- 

 try, therefore, will depend upon the amount of water 

 and the manner in which it flows from the mountains. 



The vegetal covering has a very decided influence 

 on run-off. For this reason Congress made the preser- 

 vation of conditions favorable to stream flow one of 

 the principal objects in the establishment and admin- ^ 

 istration of the national forests. 



PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH 



Precautions are taken by forest officers to protect 

 the public health. All persons on national forest 

 lands are liable to trespass proceedings if insanitary 

 conditions result from their presence. Forest officers 

 enforce compliance with regulations on the part of 

 all campers, stockmen, permittees, and other persons 

 traveling through or occupying national forest lands. 



RECEIPTS FROM THE NATIONAL FORESTS 



The total net receipts from the national forests on 

 account of timber sales, grazing fees, and special uses 

 during the fiscal years 1923 and 1924, were as follows: 



1923 $5, 325, 818 



1924 5,251,903 



It could not be expected, of course, that rugged, in- 

 accessible mountain lands, such as constitute by far 

 the greater part of the national forests, would soon 

 yield a revenue to the Government over and above 

 the cost of administration. Many of the forests are 



