Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-05-19
EXAMINING FOREST RESERVES
Government Officials Determining
Different Species Of Trees and
the Percentage Of Each.
pROFITlNG BY MISTAKES OF THE PAST

Fred G. Plimer, an engineer of the
United States geological survey, and
NJ. G. Gowsell, special field assistant,
were in Santa Fe yesterday. Mr..
Plimer has just returned from a trip
through the ella river forest reserve
and is now preparing for a detailed
examination of the Lincoln forest re-
serve. Theodore F. Rixon, field as
s~istant, remained at the ella reserve
to make a detailed examination.
Mr.. Plimer stated to a representa-
tive of the New Mexican that the OBJ
ject of the examination of the reserves
Is to determine the different species of
trees there are in the reserves and the
percentage of each; also to ascertain
the amount of defective and diseased
trees there are on the reserves and the
amount of sound timber.
Mr.. Plimer states that it is Presi-
dent Roosevelt's purpose and desire
to preserve and protect the remaining
forests upon public lands from the de-
vastation and destruction which has
been the fate of those in large por-
tons of the Appalachian mountains
and In other forested sections Of the
country. In doing this a supply of tim
Der will be provided for future needs
and natural sources of water supply
will be so protected as to prevent food
ing of the streams during the spring
time and the melting Of the SHOWS, and
to insure water for irrigation and
other purposes during the dry season.
The establishment and proper main
tenance of forest reserves is indis-
pensible to reclamation and cultiva-
ton of lands in the arid regions under
the recent act of congress which ap-
propriates for that purpose the pro-
ceeds of the sales of public lands.
ut is and has been Mr.. Roosevelt's
consistent policy" said Mr.. Plimer,
'to encourage the actual settlement of
the country by home builders in every
way, to see that actual settlers within
forest reserves are accorded every
reasonable protection, and those living
within the immediate vicinity of these
reserves, who are dependent upon the
reserves for grazing areas for cattle
and horses and for -nescessary timber
for building and fuel, are accorded ac-
cess to the reserves for these purposes
under such reasonable restrictions as
will prevent waste and destruction.
II has been so ~conclusively demonstra-
ted that uncontrolled sheep within for
est reserves are injurious to the forest
growth and to the natural water
cover that the great migratory focks
of sheep are necessarily kept out Of
the reserves; but even this policy is
pursued with cautious attention to the
prevention of injury to those engaged
in sheep raising. The preservation OF
game, such as moose. elk and deer, Is
only a minor feature of control of the
forest reserves. is authorized by an
act of congress-. which directs that
those employed In the forestry service
shall in all practicable ways, aid in the
enforcement of the game and fish laws
of the territory or state in which the
forest reserve is located. The law OF
the state or territory upon the subject
is to be the sole guide of these officers.
The United States has interposed no
law of its own, and the administration
has given no directions to its forestry
officers other than that the local laws
whatever they may be, shall be en-
forced. In some of the western states
| and territories notably Wyoming the