Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-16
GRAZING
FOREST
RESfST

Washington, ID. c., Aug. 1.-THE
annual report of grazing on the Ma
tional Forests for the fiscal year
1906-19O7, which has just been com
pleted, shows that 6,657,OS3 sheep
and goats and 1,200,t58 horses and
cattle grazed under permit on the
ranges. The previous years totals
were, sheep and goats 4,263,100,
and horses and cattle 1,025, las.
The total receipts from grazing per-
mits for the year were 1857 ,S56.S3.
For the preceding year the amount
was s514,692.87.
During the year Just closed the
report shows that 23,662 applicants
for pasture were approved, and of
these applicants 21.7S6 paid the
fees, and were granted permits.
THAT was 92 per cent. Last year
there were 1900 applications. and
1888 permits or 92 per cent. The
faci that the percentage of permits
Vwas the same in both years tends TO
show that the method of transacting
the business Is systematic, and that
, great fluctuations need not be ex-
pecbed
The increase in the number OF
stock on the ranges for this year Is
due almost wholly to the Increased
area OF he range. and does not
mean that the pastures are crowded
more this year than last
The total area OF the florists
is far greater this year than last
and n greater number OF stock can
ne accommodated without an In
crease per acre. The area of the
National Forests OF the United
states and Alaska amounts to lb6,-
600 900 acres. but stock Is not
pastured on all OF the forests. In
some regions cattle and horses pre-
dominate. in others sheep and goats.
The natural conditions OF the land
throughout the mountains OF the
Western states are such that the
boundaries of the National Forests
of necessity include many open
marks chiefly valuable for grazing.
The Importance of the livestock In
dustry demands that these ranges
be fully and fairly utlliz,d In the
Interests OF tho communities whlch
depend upon Il. Tho grazing regu-
lations of the Forests Service are
intended to moet the demand with
the utmost care. 40 as to assure the
people of the West the continued
use and constant improvement of
the National Forest Range.
stockmen who wish 10 make use
of tho range apply for permits
Thoy state the kind OF stock they
have. the Quantity and location OF
the range they want. and the oiiio ~
I'm charge mako allotments. appor-
tloning the available pasture among
Tho applicants on rs equitable
basis as practicable.
Many stockmen living ON the
borders OF TO" SITS have range ot
thelr own. hut TO reach II with stock
A. Is frequently necessary, or con-
Vonient 10 drive across portions OF
the forests. 10 do this they are re-
uulred To obtain permit nut no
charg,, Is made for II. This year
Sss such permits were granted and
a6,SO7 horses and cattle, and 2,Ool'-
$40 sheep and goats crossed Last
year 269 permits of that kind W re
issued and i2,6s6 horses and cattle
and 692. $40 shoep crossed.
Sometimes stookmen who hVe
near forests, or hayu stock near
them, allow their stock to drin
across the line II this Is done care
lessly. negligently. or wilfuily, 1t Is
considered trespass, and the offender
4. subject TO fine, and may also be
liable 10 pay damages. The number
OF trespass cases this year was lSS'
and l6s OF these settled without go-
Ing Ia court, that Is, they paid tho
amount agreed upOn as Just, Ihe