FOREST RESERVES IN IDAHO. 49 



forest reserve. Outside sheep men rushed their bands onto the range this year 

 (1904) long before the vegetation warranted it, and I believe the damage will 

 not only be for this year, but will be lasting, and eventually totally destructive 

 unless something is done to regulate time of entry of sheep and*^ bring about 

 definite allotments of range." 



Some injury has been done to the range throughout the region by grazing of 

 sheep, but that greater injury has not been done is probably due to the follow- 

 ing causes : 



(1) The shortness of the season — from the middle of May to the middle of 

 September. 



(2) Number of sheep have so far been low enough to prevent overstocking of 

 the range. 



(3) Because of the altitude, the amount of snowfall and rain is great, and 

 hence the growth of herbs and shrubs is correspondingly great, and they renew 

 themselves each year before the sheep come onto the range. 



The principal herbs and shrubs upon which the sheep feed are : Several bunch 

 grasses, redtop, wild oats, fireweed. several small composites, willow, aspen, 

 wild currants, and various species of sage brush. These occur everywhere 

 along the streams, in open parks, and over much of the so-called woodland. 



The method of running sheep is the same here as throughout much of the 

 West. The sheep are run in bands of from 1,200 to 2,200 and taken care of by 

 a herder, who generally has several trained dogs to assist him. A large owner 

 will have several bands in one region, and will supply the herders with food 

 and the sheep with salt from a central camp. There are usually two or three 

 camp tenders, who bring in supplies with pack animals and also move the 

 night camps of the herders and keep them in food. The main camp is seldom 

 moved during a season, and general supplies are brought in at intervals rather 

 than all at one time. Because of poisonous plants, wolves, bears, and other 

 dangers there is always a small per cent of loss. There have been a few 

 instances of the total loss of whole bands by remaining in the hills too late in 

 the fall and being snowed in. 



As previously stated, with a few restrictions as to numbers and time of entry, 

 the whole area can be used as a summer range for sheep. With the present 

 knowledge of conditions on the various watersheds, it will be safe to allow the 

 grazing of 7.5,000 sheep and 5,000 cattle. This number can be enlarged or 

 restricted later by the supervisor as he becomes thoroughly acquainted with 

 the region. Many more than are in the region at present can doubtless be 

 allowed. The small area in Custer and Blaine counties, east of the ridge of 

 the main Sawtooth Range, should be kept entirely free from sheep. The Red- 

 fish Lakes are here, and to preserve them in their natural beauty sheep or 

 cattle should not be allowed to graze about them. What natural range there is 

 about the lakes is only sufficient for the horses of campers and people who seek 

 this region for health and recreation. Rights of passage for sheep from the 

 winter range to the south and west have been agreed upon by the State Woo) 

 Growers' Association, and should be allowed as at present until outlined and 

 controlled by reserve officers. 



Almost the entire reserve has been burned over, and many causes 

 are assigned for the fires. Xo large fires have occurred in recent years. 

 With the natural obstructions to fires which exist within reserves it 

 will not be difficidt to protect the forests from fire in the future. 



The national Reclamation Service has commenced projects for a 

 canal and reservoir system on the Payette and Boise rivers, which 

 contemplates increasing the present irrigated area in the Boise Vallev 

 from 80,000 to 331,000 acres, and adding 40,000 acres to the irrigable 

 area of the Payette Valley. This means the creation of about 

 $20,000,000 worth of realty in addition to the other immense benefits 

 which will follow. 



The plans of the Reclamation Service consider the connection of the 

 Payette and Boise rivers by canal, so that both these rivers must be 

 discussed as one. At the j^resent time the PaA^ette carries 3nough 

 water for all available land of the Payette Valley, but under the pro- 



