WHAT IS FORESTRY? 7 
The ripe timber is sold as fast as there is a demand 
for it, but each tree to be removed is marked by the 
Government forester. The limbs and tops must be dis- 
posed of when possible, which decreases the fire risk as 
well as clears the ground. As a result the next crop of 
timber is already starting beneath the seed trees that are 
left. The lumber sales net almost one and one-half mil- 
lion dollars per year. 
Fuel and fencing within reasonable limits are given 
free of charge to all local residents but they must 
pay a grazing fee if they wish to pasture their herds 
within the forests. It came very hard at first to pay 
for grass that had been free for years but the sheep- 
and cattlemen of the West now realize that Uncle Sam 
protects his pastures and as a result herds come out of 
the mountains in the fall in prime condition. The 
privilege is well worth the small price that is asked 
and at present the grass growing in the open parks 
beneath the trees on the national forests supplies feed 
for a portion of the year at least to not less than one- 
sixth the total meat supply of the United States. 
The national forests are not locked against farming 
for, under the Act of June 11, 1906, farms to the extent 
of one hundred and sixty acres may be obtained as home- 
steads and in addition mineral claims can be secured 
by complying with reasonable restrictions laid down by 
the Forest Service. Finally, the forests owned by the 
people can be and are extensively used as hunting and 
camping grounds, for during the last year no less than 
1,500,000 people used the national forests for recreation 
purposes, furnishing splendid hunting and fishing to 
those fortunate enough to live within reach. Thus in 
supplying timber for public sale, grass for local herds, 
homesteads for homeseekers and recreation areas for 
