The herald., 1898-10-03

standing "Dr." Eulnns assertions, evsry
one who knows Art thing Of the topography
Of the territory within the liuits Of the
above mentioned reserve knows that all the
water shed IN the Grand Canyon reserve,
and by far the greater portion OF that In
the San Francisco mountain reserve trends
north towards the Grand Canyon Of the
Colorado.
The doctor" says that browsing herds
Of wandering sheep destroy the young
trees. and that rowing and irresponsible
sheepmen destroy the forests by carelessly
setting fires In this, as IN most OF his
pretended statements Of fact, the doctor
is In error.
Whatever may be the conditions In other
portions Of the country here practically
our only young trees are pines, upon which
neither sheep nor cattle will browse. Our
forest fires are occasionally caused by the
carehessness Of campers passing through
the country, and Of nonresident hunters;
but are usually caused by lightning, and
that large areas Of forest are not burned
annually is due largely to the watchful care
Of our sheepmen, who as a matter Of self
interest prevent the starting and sprea ding
OF forest fires. The pine needles prior to
the introduction Of sheep here fell In the
forests to the depth Of a foot OF more and
acting like tinder served In the dry sea-
sons to propagate forest fires, and as we'll
obstruct the growth Of grass only occa-
s.onal spears Of which could md their way
through the matted needles, thereby de-
priving deer and other game Of herbage;
but where sheep and cattle Craze the dry
needles are pulverized and act as fertilizers
not only permitting but aiding the growth
Of herbage.
Experience has shown that in this To-
calty few young pines will grow In the
heavily t!mbered forests, as the large trees
divert to themselves all the moisture In the
soil to the exclusion Of the young shoots;
but when an area Of few acres Is de-
nuded Of large trees an abundant supply Of
young growth springs up and dourisheA
and Is far more effectuaI In holding snow
than the large trees. The representatives
of the interior department, who have been
recently investigating these questions upon
the ground, have become convinced that In
this locality sheep are a benefit rather
than am injury to the forest, and have
recommended that sheepmen be permitted
to Craze their flocks within the limits Of
the reservations in question
interest Of whom Or" Mullins purports
to speak. do not consider either sheep or
cattle Injurious to the northern forests,
and do not wish them driven from their
accustomed ranges nor do they wish to in
jure their northern friends and customers.
The interests Of Northern and Southern
Arizona are too nearly identical for the ef
forts of "Dr." Mullins or any others Of his
class or caliber TO create dfssentions be-
tween them.
In order to protect the timber 1t 10 not
necessary to taboo the forests in this To-
cality, prevent railroad construction upon
the public domain, and the development Of
the country and It's consequent capacity to
support an increased population. Timber
ts like any other crop, It should be har-
vested when matured and applied to use
full purposes instead Of being permitted
to rot and waste. Under existing condi-
tions the forest reserves above mentioned
should be abolished and suitable law
enacted prohibiting the cutting Of trees
until of a sufficient size to prevent waste
with suitable penalties and means for its
enforcement provided. Otherwise the
people who have rendered this portion Of
the territory habltable and accessible
should be left unhampered. In their ef-
forts to develop its rich and varied re-
sources To this end we ask the assistance
Of our California neghbors to suppress the
eastern would-be ph.lanthropists and
cranks. who. through ignorance, seek to
rob us Of our heritage
EDWARD M. DOE.
Flagstaff. Ariz.. Sept. 25, 1898.