10 Department Circular 318, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture I 



The Coronado National Forest is estimated to contain 290,000,000 ' 

 board feet of saw timber and 3,748.000 cords of wood. The cut of 

 saw timber and other forest products in 1923 was 685,000 feet. 



The Coronado National Forest, however, assumes great significance 

 as the watershed of the surrounding valleys, in many of which it isl 

 important to maintain the supply of underground waters. Under I 

 the Forest Service administration these watersheds are protected, the 

 flow of the short, rapid mountain streams is regulated, and the supply 

 of underground water is maintained. 



The forest also supports a cattle industry of 41,000 head, owned 

 by 241 permittees, most of whom are local men. In addition, about 

 400 small ranchers graze over 2,000 head of work and milk stock on 

 the forests free of charge. The forest has been divided into range 

 allotments, many of which have been fenced, and the stock is so 

 handled that the entire range is utilized but not overgrazed. 



Fig. 6. — The giant cactus is found at the lower edge of some of the southern 

 Arizona forests. Here are some of the important watersheds which must be 

 protected against erosion 



There are in these mountains numerous small flat areas which 

 could either be irrigated or upon which dry farming could be prac- 

 ticed. Those which were not homesteaded before the creation of 

 the forest have now been settled upon by 294 persons who secured 

 title to a total area of 40.290 acres. No additional lands are now 

 available for agricultural settlement. 



The Coronado National Forest has a large fire hazard during the 

 long dry period in the spring. It has been difficult, because of the 

 inaccessibility of the country, to handle the many fires that have 

 occurred. To overcome this difficulty the Forest Service has been 

 developing means of detection and communication. Lookout towers 

 and telephone lines have been constructed in order that fires may be 

 readily located, and a comprehensive system of roads and trails is 

 being built. 



The opening up of lines of communication is also making the 

 Coronado National Forest accessible* to the summer visitors who 



