The National Forests of New Mexico. 5 



There are now six National Forests in New Mexico. They com- 

 prise a gross area of approximately 9J million acres, not counting 

 the Coronado National Forest, a small part, of which is in New Mex- 

 ico and the remainder in Arizona. These six Forests bear a timber 

 stand of 15,000,000,000 board feet of saw timber and other forest 

 products. They provide a permanent lumber industry for that 

 region; they supply material needed in the development of ranches, 

 farms, and cities ; they add stability to the live-stock industry. They 

 also promote the development of facilities for transportation and 

 communication on the forest areas. Furthermore, by means of the 



Fig.. 3. — "Under Forest Service regulations the lumberman leaves the young thrifty trees 

 for future growth and some older trees to furnish seed. Brush is lopped and scattered 

 or piled and burned. Brush piles shown are to be burned. 



receipts derived from their administration, they contribute to the 

 road and school funds of the counties in which they are situated. 

 Mining, agriculture, grazing, and all other uses of the forest areas 

 not incompatible with their primary purpose are encouraged. 



The New Mexico National Forests, under forest management, are 

 estimated to have a present annual productive capacity of about 

 80,000,000 board feet of lumber, sufficient to build each year 8,000 

 homes for the people of New Mexico. With the development of 

 better methods of forest management, a considerable increase in the 

 annual production may be confidently expected. (Fig. 3.) The 

 production of a continuous timber supply through the practice of 



