Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1901-07-24
PRESCOTT FOREST RESERVE.
Forest Supervisor Frank R. Stewart Makes Very Able and Exhaustive Report to the Commissioner
 of the Land Office on its
 Present Condition.

Forest Supervisor Frank R. Stewart
 has just submitted his quarterly re-
 port to the commissioner of the gen
 eral land office. The document is
 quite lengthy one and deals ex.
 haustively with the conditions exist
 ing in the reserve at the present time
 Mir. Stewart has been in charge of the
 Prescott forest reserve just one year, and during that time has succeeded in bringing order out of apparent chaos and in getting the guarding of the reserve down to asystematic busi- ness system.
 When he took charge more or less jealousies existed among those in charge of the reserve, while the prin- ciples upon which the reserves were established were but little understood by citizens generally, and forest re- serves were not popular institution, and the unpopularity of the reserves attached more or less to all connected with them.
 During the year of MT. Stewards administration as supervisor these conditions have all been charge l. Perfect harmony prevails among all connected with it, and the work is carried on now in a systematic man. ner, the rangers employed being at tentive to their duties and cooperating with each other and the supervisor in the discharge of their duties. As a result the people have learned to ap- preciate the benefits derived from such reserves in the preservation of timber from being wantonly destroy ed, as well as the protection from fire afforded by the constant patrol of the reserve by the rangers.
 MT. Stewart in his report speaks of the topography of the land embraced in the reserve, and in mentioning the industrial conditions existing on it says: "The chief industry and in fact the onl y industry worthy of men tion within the reserve is that of min ing, and recent developments in the several mining properties (which owing to the continued drouth that prevailed for two years prior to Jan uary l were closed down) throughout the reserve demonstrate the fact that with development this particular local ity presents an inviting field to the investor. Several large properties have changed hands within the past three months, and it is only a ques- tion of time when the greater part of the reserve will be taken in mining claims. Some wonderfully rich finds of gold, silver and cop per in the reserve within the past year have given renewed impetus to the mining industry. and it is only question of time when the greater part of these claims will be patented. as development has demonstrated that in almost every instance where properties have been sunk to depth of three hundred feet they have proven to be valuable mines.
 MT. Stewart disapproves of any eff fort being made towards reforesting denuded areas by seeding or trans: as being impracticable and but expresses the opinion that in time these areas will reforest themselves.
 He speaks of the great advantage the preservation of the forest from fire, derived from the existence of the Prescott Electric company's telephone which traverses the reserve. as it en- ables prompt notice of the existence of a fire to be given and the speedy summOning of help. In regard to forest fires he says:
 Only two forest fires have occurred during the quarter, one of which l burned over about forty acres and the | other about 100 acres. Neither of these did any considerable damage. | Generally speaking, the reserve has been free of forest fires during the year, and the credit for this is due argel y to the forest rangers, and the splendid service rendered by them in 2atroling their respective sections of he reserve."'
 He compliments the rangers on the splendid service repdered during the rear, giving them much of the credit tue for the success of the office. The lvailable supply of timber on the re- erve is estimated at 497, 1914, ,OOO feet 'oard measure and the wood at 467, t0S cords.
 MT. Stewart it is conceded by all las made very competent and satis- actory supervisor, and has done very much towards making the people un- erstand the objects of the reserve nd in popularizing it.