The National Forests of Arizona 15 



summer months find winter range on the Prescott Forest. In addi- 

 tion, settlers are given free range for about 1,600 work and milk 

 stock. The grazing of livestock is so regulated that the ranges 

 are not overgrazed and the watershed is not damaged. 



^Aliat few agricultural lands remained on this forest at the time 

 of its establishment have now been alienated in 110 tracts, which 

 contain 8,847 acres. Although the agricultural possibilities are 

 small, large portions of the Prescott Forest contain minerals. Many 

 mining claims have, therefore, been located, and there are a number 

 of paying mines. Tlie famous United Yerde Copper ]Mine is near 

 the Verde division of the Prescott Forest. 



Although the Prescott Xational Forest does not present the num- 

 ber of attractions that are found on some of the forests in the higher 

 moimtains, it does have many alluring spots for recreationists. It 

 is used during the hot summer months by the residents of the valley 

 towns surrounding it. Residents of Phoenix maintain a large 

 colony of simimer residents at Iron Springs, 7 miles from Prescott, 

 located in a fine stand of yellow pine. Mingus Mountain, not far 

 from Jerome, offers a cool retreat among the pines, and Groom Creek 

 is much enjoyed by Prescott people. Both are easily reached over 

 good roads. 



As in the other national forests, the Forest Service is developing 

 means of transportation. Probably the project of most interest to 

 the public will be the Phoenix-Prescott road, in the construction of 

 which the Forest Service is cooperating with the State. This road 

 will extend for miles through .cool forested areas. 



THE SITGREAVES NATIONAL FOREST 



(In Apache, Navajo, and Coconino Counties) 



Stretching for nearly 100 miles along the north side of the 

 Mogollon Rim and containing 881,102 gross acres, lies the Sitgreaves 

 Xational Forest. It is named for Capt. L. Sitgreaves, United States 

 Topographical Engineers, who headed a scientific expedition through 

 this country in the early fifties. The supervisor's headquarters is at 

 Holbrook, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. 



The Sitgreaves is one of the most heavily timbered national forests 

 in Arizona. It contains more than 4,000,000,000 feet of saw timber, 

 nearly all of which is western yellow pine, and 1,000,000 cords of 

 pinon and juniper. Only small amounts of this timber, the greater 

 part of which is from 40 to 60 miles from the nearest railroad have 

 been cut. It was too far back for profitable logging. Several years 

 ago, however, a large operation started on the east end of the Sit- 

 greaves Forest and on the adjoining Indian reservation. The annual 

 cut of this forest is still only about 7,000,000 board feet, although 

 in the not distant future it should increase. 



The saw-timber resources on this forest are being handled under 

 a management plan which provides for a cut of timber of approxi- 

 mately 35,000,000 feet anually. This is estimated to be the annual 

 growth on the forest. This annual cut will supply a large lumber- 

 ing operation on a permanent basis. 



It is believed that within a few j^ears a turpentine industry will 

 be established on a large scale in the Southwest. To anticipate this 

 demand the Forest Service has already taken stock of the turpentine 



