Gilpin observer., 1903-10-01
FARMING MATTERS.
Forest Reserve Conference.

A mass meeting or STOCK growers,
1umbermen and farmers of the Plum
Creek and South Platte forestry dis
tricts-the first of its kind ever held
in the United States-for the purpose
of advising with the federal forestry
representatives having jurisdiction in
Colorado, was held Sept. 25th, at the
court house in Castle Rock. A large
majority of the farmers of the two dis
tricts were present, as were also sew
eral prominent citizens of Denver.
Supervisor Hover and Congressman
Brooks attended.
The meeting was called at the in
stance OF Henry Nicholson, supervisor
Of forest reservations in Colorado. Since
former Governor Richards Of Wyoming
has had charge of the general land
Office in Washington, his representa-
tives have shown disposition to con-
suit residents OF districts under for
estry regulations as to their wishes
and the particular needs OF certain sec
tions in all matters of forestal control.
The meeting was conceived in this
spirit and ended in a general demon
stration OF good feeling Mr.. Nicholson
said that in so far as was reasonable
he was willing to recommend to the
department anything that the farmers
en- masse elected to request. The fol-
lowing resolutions were accordingly
adopted by the meeting and delivered
to the supervisor of forests:
"F'irst-We appreciate the efforts OF
the government to improve the grass
lands and we pledge ourselves 10 do
all that is possible to second its eff
forts. If seed can be obtained to re-
place vacant spaces. we will. each in
our own locality, furnish the labor
necessary to make the improvements.
''Second-We believe in no over
stocking of the range and the consult
ing of the interests of actual settlers
in the manner inaugurated during the
last two seasons.
authorities in the extinguishment of
forest fires. But we trust that means
may be found to cause the great waste
Of material on private cuttings to be
stopped and that lien selections may
not be permitted until the lands shall
at least have been properly cleaned.
"Fourth-Since there are very favor
able conditions existing in the Plum
Creek reserve we call upon the forest
al authorities to aid by any means in
their power in the reafforestration of
this territory. While we understand
that this proposition may imply the
incurment of some expense in cleaning
up and replanting. we believe that this
may well be incurred and that it should
be borne by the federal government.
''Fifth-The reserve lines having
originally been laid out without much
regard to forestal boundaries. We trust
that means may be found to correct
them wherever it may be necessary.
so as to leave out lands upon which
trees cannot grow and take in other
districts which may be necessary for
the protection of important water
courses
"Sixth-We respectfully suggest to
the government that the exchange OF
private lands in the reserve for lands
in other parts of the country has re-
duced the source of taxation, and that
the keeping UP of public roads through
the reserves is becoming burdensome
to the counties in which the reserves
are located. We believe this matter
should be given careful consideration
to the end that this expense shall be
divided in just and equitable manner
"Seventh-Inasmuch as one of the
greatest dangers to the forests is from
the carelessness of campers in starting
fires. and as it is generally impossible
to locate offenders under the present
law, we believe forest officers should
be given power to arrest offenders
caught in the act.
"Eighth-We believe that those Of us
who apply for permits and assume GER
tain responsibilities should be protect
ed by the government against those
who have no permits and are under no
agreement to obey the rules. to the end
that those who have put their cattle
on the reserves without permit will
not be placed on more favorable foot
ing than we who obey the rules. II
we should have permit, all should. or
be kept out.
'Ninth-We are glad to have met the
representatives of the forestal author
tiles and propose to assist them in the
enforcement Of the laws in any rea-
sonable manner"
Signed by f. NJ. Ammons. chairman,