12 
BRANCH OF GRAZING. 
The Branch of Grazing has charge of the range in National Forests. 
The live-stock interests in National Forests are now very great. In 
the past much difficulty has arisen over the equitable use of the range. 
The present system of charging a reasonable fee for all live stock, 
which was inaugurated at the beginning of 1906, has already received 
widespread approval among live-stock owners. By paying for the 
right to use the range these owners benefit both by avoiding all cause 
of dispute and by the protection which the Forest Service gives in 
consideration of the charge. Opposition to the system of fees con- 
tinues only where a shortsighted policy is still prone to insist upon 
the immediate exploitation rather than upon the permanent and 
increasing development of the range. Settlements for trespass or 
for understatement of the number of the stock have, as a rule, been 
promptly made. During the first six months of 1906 the revenue 
from grazing was over $500,000, and for the first five months of 1907, 
over $700,000. 
Two offices, the office of control and the office of development, 
administer the grazing business, the former including the sections of 
allotment, adjustment, and permits, and the latter those of fences, 
forage, and water. 
Among the matters which must be decided in the management of 
this Branch are, what number of stock shall be allowed to graze, what 
portions of Forests shall be open to grazing, the period during which 
grazing is allowed, the fees to be charged for permits, the settlement 
of controversies, the examination of title to private lands, the estab- 
lishment of driveways for live stock, the fencing of portions of the 
ranges, the storage of water in tanks where water shortage prevents 
the utilization of good forage, settlements for damages, and the for- 
mulation of special rules to meet local conditions. By cooperation 
with live-stock associations through their advisory boards a constant 
good understanding of rights and duties is made possible between 
stock owners and the Forest Service. 
BRANCH OF OPERATION. 
OFFICE OF MAINTENANCE. 
The office of maintenance exercises a general supervision over the 
quarters occupied by the Washington office and the supplies and office 
equipment of the entire Service. The work is divided into the sections 
of record, purchase, supplies, and photography. 
The section of record has oversight of the mail, files, mailing lists, 
and routine matters pertaining to office administration. 
[Cir. 36] 
