The National Forests of New Mexico. 9 



is turned into the county funds for the roads and schools. Ten per 

 cent of the total receipts have been by law made available to the 

 Forest Service for use in constructing additional roads and trails, 

 - and this fund now amounts to about $30,000 per year. As the re- 

 ceipts steadily increase, these funds which accrue directly to the 

 benefit of the State, will correspondingly increase from year to year. 



The National Forests of New Mexico offer great business oppor- 

 tunities to lumbermen and stockmen who are seeking locations for 

 their business. As the general development of the State takes 

 place, new bodies of timber are becoming marketable, and about 

 these the Forest Service furnishes information to prospective pur- 

 chasers. On some of the New Mexico National Forests there are 

 still areas of excellent summer range for the use of which the Forest 

 Service can issue grazing permits to settlers who meet the require- 

 ments of the regulations governing the allotment of grazing privi- 

 leges. 



In addition to their economic resources, the New Mexico National 

 Forests have a large and increasing value in the attractions they 

 offer to travelers, sportsmen, and health seekers and in their in- 

 creasing popularity with the people of New Mexico and adjacent 

 States for purposes of recreation. The value of the Forests for travel, 

 sport, and other recreation is largely dependent on a proper preserva- 

 tion of their scenic beauty, on the development of roads and trails 

 to make them accessible to the public, on the protection of their 

 historical and archaBological monuments and ruins, and on the con- 

 servation of their fish and game. It is the definite policy of the 

 Forest Service to accomplish these ends and to' encourage the full 

 use of the Forests for purposes of recreation and public health. 

 Because the railroads pass along the lower levels of the country, 

 many people are unaware of the delightful climate, the extraordi- 

 nary scenery, the wealth of historical and archselogical interest, and 

 the facilities for sport, rest, and recreation which are offered to them 

 in the mountains of New Mexico. (Fig. 7.) 



Persons wno may wish to construct summer homes may receive 

 long-term permits to build upon small but attractive locations in 

 the National Forests. These permits are issued at reasonable annual 

 charges. Those, however, who desire merely to camp in the Forests 

 may do so without charge or restriction. They are required only to 

 be careful with fires and to leave clean camp grounds upon their 

 departure. In some localities public camp grounds with fireplaces 

 and other facilities have been set aside for their convenience. There 

 will doubtless be a growing appreciation of the possibilities of the 

 New Mexico National Forests as a summer playground. With the 

 steady development of their economic resources, they will contribute 

 an increasing share to the well-being and prosperity of the State. 

 1853°— 22 2 



