Government Forest Work 



^ AGRICULTURAL LAND 



Lands which are more valuable for agriculture than 

 for forestry purposes have been excluded from the 

 national forests either by changes in the forest 

 boundaries or by being opened to settlement and entry 



fnder the forest homestead act of June 11, 1906. The 

 ct of August 10, 1912, which directed that the na- 

 tional forest lands be classified for the purpose of 

 determining those which are chiefly valuable for agri- 

 culture, has resulted in practically all agricultural 

 lands within the national forests being listed for 

 entry in the United States land offices. The greater 

 part of the land which has really valuable agricultural 

 possibilities has been taken up and most of what is 

 left lies at high altitudes remote from roads, schools, 

 villages, and markets, where the winter climate is 



* severe and the growing season short. Prospective 

 settlers will therefore have better chances for success in 

 the immediate vicinity of the forests than in the 

 forests themselves. 



RECREATION IN NATIONAL FORESTS 



To the camper, sportsman, and seeker after health, 

 rest, and recreation, the national forests offer un- 

 rivaled opportunities for outdoor life and enjoyment. 

 The popularity of these great mountain playgrounds 

 is evidenced by the fact that several million people 

 visit them each year. Roads and trails, marked by 

 signs, make the forests reasonably accessible. There 

 are countless secluded spots along the banks of streams 

 and lakes where the camper may pitch his tent. Camp- 

 ing is free and generally requires no permit. The 

 camper may choose his own camp ground and help 

 himself to dead wood for fuel and to forage for his 



* 'camp stock. In localities frequented by large numbers 



of people " recreation areas" are being established, 



and log shelters, camp fireplaces, and comfort stations 



constructed for the convenience of visitors as fast as 



g the funds available permit. Big game is to be found 



