Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1900-01-24
NEW RESERVES.

NEW RESERVES.
 During the year six new reserva- ticns have been created, in addition to effecting certain changes in the areas of three of the existing re- serves. making, at the date of the report, 36 forest reservations, em- bracing an estimated area of 46 02l,- S99 acres.
 PATROL OF THE RESERVES.
 The result of the first years effort at patroling the reserves Is shown to have clearly demonstrated the effic- iency of the forest force in protect ing the reserves from destruction by fire.
 In addition to the numerous camp and other small fires which were found left burning and were put out by the rangers, they were specifically reported by reserves, nearly one thousand fires winch were discov cred and extinguished with com parativeIy small loss.
 It is shown that of thn 232 re- ported fires which had gained con siderable headway when discovered l Several of them being so large as to require extraordinary efforts to ex- tinguish), but nine became import ant fires; and that, practically, but three of these. by r4ason of high winds, got beyond the temporary ntrol of the forest force; and that they were extinguished before the vast destruction occurred winch must have inevitably resulted had it nos been for the forest service. EXPANSION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE
 FOREST FIRE LAW.
 The report devotes considerable space to tbe imperative need for the enactment of fire law Of more com prehensive provisions to properly I rotect the timber on the public do main.
 In doing so it points out that the average yearly reported loss from forest fires Is Stated to have been es- timated at not less than S20,000,000 for the United States; which is but tithe of the actual loss.
 SHEEP GRAZING.
 Careful study is stated to have been made of the subject of sheep grazing within forest reservations, as presented from every side, through exhaustive official examinations and reports, and petitions and reports from wool growers associations, fruit growers. water associations, public men and other citizens. which resulted in sheep being allowed in portions of certain of the reserves when it was found that the protec- ton and improvement of the forests and the water supply of the citizens would not be adversely affected by the presence of the sheep, while, whenever 1t was satisfactorily shown that sheep would work an injury to the reserves, the forest superintend ents were advised that they must not be allowed therein.
 LIEU SELECTIONS FOR PRIVATE HOLDINGS
 IN FOREST RESERVATIONS.
 It is pointed out that legislation is needed to remedy the evil arising from the fact that railroad and lum- Der companies owning large tracts of land within the limits of forest reservations, are making selections, under the act for the administra- ton of such reserves (act of June 20, 1897; 30 stat, 34-36), of valuable un- surveyed timber lands elsewhere, using, as a basis therefor, lands which have been denuded of their timber. and thus become practically stump wastes. of little or no value for any purpose.
 TIMBER ON UNREsERvED LANDS.
 Attention is called to the fact that large portions of the forests cloth ing the public lands are still with out needed protection only frag- ments having been gathered under the protection of forestry legisla- ton bY setting them apart as re- servations, leaving extensive forested areas still subject to unchecked rav- l ages by fire and to increasing in roads upon their resources by Ium- bering operations.
 Liberal appropriations are urged not only to provide for an adequate administration of the reservations already est tablished, but to enable the land office to push forward with rapiditY the work of examining the forest lands which yet remain unre- served, and also to provide sufficient protection for such as are not of a character to be withdrawn for forest purposes.
 The report concludes with the fol- lowing statement:
 DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE.
 While the great paramount bene- ? fits derived from national forestry system in the way of forest preserva- tion and water conservation are nee ' essarily beyond computation, yet one of the minor advantages result . ing therefrOm, viz, revenue to the government, Is appreciable, and it is interesting to note that the receipts from this source last year. as re- ported above, aggregated S223. .696. .56
 This amount Is computed with the total amount of approp1ations ex- pended during the year in connec- tiou with public timber. S2S5, GOO shows that the forest service, even , in it's present early state of develop ment, and labOring under many and serious disadvantages which cripple it's efforts to large extent, has al ready proved largely self-support- ing.
 With amended legislation, as urged above, and appropriations proportioned to the needs of the service, 1t Is evident that the admin istration of our forested lands can be made to yield a large revenue to the government.
 The past years work has been in the nature of demonstration. It has demonstrated the possibilities of the service, with a clear Off-setting of its needs at the hands of congress, in respect to both legislation and ap- priatiOns.
 think 1t important that congress should recognize that the expert mental stage of this work has passed. and that it now remains to develop it. But satisfactory development cannot be accomplished so long as this office has to operate under any of the present laws respecting pub lie timber and has also to contend