10 BULLETIN" 14 9 9, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
important consideration. In fact, an additional market for small- 
sized material such as might be utilized for fence posts or paper 
pulp is the greatest need of the entire region, from the standpoint of 
good silvicultural practice. 
The lumber consumption of the region greatly exceeds local pro- 
duction. This situation exists because local species are principally 
suitable for the manufacture of only the common grades, and because 
of the comparatively low prices at which lumber from the Northwest 
can still be obtained. However, as the population and industries in- 
crease, local timber stands will be drawn upon in constantly increas- 
ing amounts. To prepare for this increased demand, and because it 
is desirable from an economic standpoint to produce timber products 
as near as may be to the centers of consumption, the possibilities in 
more intensive and more profitable growth of timber must be given 
suitable consideration. The welfare of the forests affects the future 
growth and prosperity of the whole region. 
GRAZING USE 
In the timbered portions of the region, grazing lands consist of 
grass or sagebrush slopes, mountain meadows, and the more sparsely 
stocked forest land. Grazing in the average timbered area is ren- 
dered impracticable by such obstacles as steep and rocky slopes and 
dense stands of trees and young growth. It would seem that in many 
instances grazing might form an important part of forest manage- 
ment, at least while new stands of timber are growing up to a size 
profitable for cutting; but as a matter of fact grazing can not be 
counted upon as a resource to any appreciable degree, and this mainly 
because of the results of continued fire protection. As fire is kept out, 
the lightly timbered areas are becoming more fully stocked, and open 
lands are being gradually invaded by the forest. As a consequence of 
this steady shrinkage in the available forage lands within the tim- 
bered sections, annual returns from grazing on these lands will never 
be of much importance in meeting the current expenses of growing- 
timber crops. 
On the other hand a number of tests and observations have conclu- 
sively demonstrated that such grazing as there is has practically no 
ill effect upon the forest. In fact, it generally assists greatly in re- 
ducing fire danger through the breaking up and treading down of the 
ground litter. Whatever injury is attributable to grazing is found 
chiefly on cut-over or burned-over tracts which receive the greatest 
amount of use. Sheep grazing is likely to be more harmful than cat- 
tle grazing, but in certain places, such as driveways, damage from 
this source can not be eliminated. In any event, the damage will be 
practically negligible if the number, distribution, and handling of 
stock are properly regulated to the permanent capacity of the range. 
If overgrazing is thus avoided, damage to young trees will be slight. 
USE FOR WATERSHED PROTECTION 
Engineers have said of this region that, even if every drop of water 
which falls in the mountains could be conserved, the volume would 
still be insufficient to irrigate all of the arid lands requiring water in 
order to be productive. This emphasizes the importance of maintain- 
